Cups of Tea for our Plants 🌿. Purple Martin Parties On 🌿 Mr. Dromgoole's Nursery Tour

Audubon Society Fights for

the Right to Party!

No one ever knows where the purple martins are going to choose to roost (writes Darrel Mayers). But wherever they choose, it is an Austin tradition for the Audubon Society to take over the parking lot and create a fun bird-party, for all to marvel at the dazzling aerobatics of our avian visitors. Until this year . . . when the Martins chose Greenlawn Crossing in Round Rock.

When approached by Audubon about its bird parties, the management company was less than accomodating, and threatened to file criminal trespassing charges against any birdwatchers caught on its property.

But after a day or two of reflection (influenced maybe by the lashing it received on Audubon's Instagram), Rassier Properties reversed its decision, and the parties are now going ahead: July 24 /25; July 31 - Aug 1; Aug 7 - 8. Location: Greenlawn Crossing between Pho Viet and Kyoka Sushi 8 - 9 p.m. Audubon, KUT ❦

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NURSERY NOTES: how about a personal tour of the Natural Gardener with its founder? Meet John Dromgoole at 10 am tomorrow (July 18), at his wonderful nursery. Free. TNG 🌿

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Fruitful Commons "Tree Care Mini-Grant" offers up to $5,000 "for projects that plant, protect and care for trees."

Application deadline: Aug. 31. Apply here 🌿

TREEFOLKS PILOT PROGRAM: If you love trees, and want to take the next step and create your own nursery, TreeFolks would like to hear from you. They have a hands-on training and mentorship program lasting from Sept. to April 2027. Application deadline: August 9. Nursery Training ❦

UVON THE VIOLET CROWN TRAIL: explore the nocturnal wilds of this beautiful walk with UV flashlights on July 23 at 8 pm. Meet at the La Crosse Trailhead (near the Wildflower Center). "Perfect for families, nature lovers, and curious kids." $7 donation. Presented by Central Texas Mycology Society. ❦

AGUA FRESCA: with a melon, some honey, a lime, mint and ice, you are on way to enjoying this classic Mexican thirst-quencher popular with all. Recipe ❦

THE AUSTIN GARDEN relies on readers for support. Whether annual or monthly, all donations are welcome. At present 7 % of readers fund this newsletter. Many thanks in advance. PayPal link ❦

How to Brew Compost Tea

by Chris Winslow

With the heat of the summer months upon us, it's time to give a tall glass of iced tea to gardeners . . . and generous amounts of compost tea to plants.

This tea contains millions of beneficial organisms, and plants love it. All you have to do is fill an old pillowcase with some compost and a few other ingredients, use some simple aquarium pumps to keep everything moving… and let it steep overnight.

Compost tea is truly amazing. It is highly nutritious, adding beneficial bacteria and micorrhizal fungi to the soils. It has fungicidal properties as well. These beneficial bacteria and micorrhizal fungi increase the surface absorbing area of roots. This, in turn, increases a plant’s ability to absorb nutrients.

The recipe we used to brew at the nursery (see below) is on a fairly large scale. It yields 55 gallons of tea, and has to be used almost immediately. If this seems like it is too much, you can halve the ingredients, or get your neighbors and community garden friends involved.

Ingredients:

1. A barrel to hold water. We used a 55 gallon rain barrel.

2. Water. Rainwater would be the best. If you have chlorinated water, let it sit a day or two before starting your project.

3. A giant tea bag, such as an old pillowcase, a tea towel, or a stocking.

4. Two small pumps, available in aquarium shops. One will re-circulate the water, the other will run an air stone.

5. Compost: we use 2 or 3 pounds of store-bought earth worm castings.

6. A cup of Bio-Start by Espoma (beneficial bacteria and micorrhizal fungus).

7. Half a cup of either dry or liquid molasses to feed the beneficial bacteria.

Place the earthworm castings, molasses, Bio-Start, and the air stone into the tea bag and secure open end with string or rubber bands.

Place the tea bag into the barrel with water and plug in the re-circulating pump and air stone.

Allow the system to run overnight. By next morning it will be ready to use. Compost tea should be used within a day. Its shelf life can be extended for a day or two with the addition of more molasses and continued aeration.

You now have 55 gallons of compost tea that can be sprayed on plant foliage and drenched at the root zone and added to the garden soil.

I can’t think of anything better for the enrichment of your garden and stress relief during the dog days of summer. Happy gardening everyone! ❦