The Starter is increased by using aerobic brewing, allowing application to 5000 square metres. 

Aerated brewing

Good natural soil biology needs oxygen, so aerated brewing is necessary to achieve good biology. An aerobic brew smells ‘earthy’, the sweet smell of good moist soil. Anaerobic biology does not need oxygen and smells foul. Check by smelling and dump anaerobic brews.

Equipment – for 40 litres of brew

A 40-litre brew can be brewed using many designs as long as it results in a lively 2-cm boil on the water surface – a jumpy surface as in Photo 3. A pump suitable for a 40-litre brew must produce at least 40 litres of air per minute. One example consists of two 20-litre pails, an aquarium pump, 20 mm conduit and fittings and 13mm poly pipe and fittings, all available at most hardware shops.

The twelve 3-mm air holes in the spreader pipe in Photo 2 face sideways and downwards.  One row, either side of the centre line, minimises anaerobic dead spots around the edges. Another example of brewing equipment consists of a 60L blue drum with the top cut and the drum partly filled with 40 litres of water. A pond pump (under the red cover in photo 4) supplies air.  A poly pipe connects the pump to the spreader pipes at the bottom of the drum. When ready, the brew is syphoned from the drum into a watering can or tank used for application, see Application for large Gardens.

Feeding the biology

Multiplying biology requires food. The ingredients added during brewing favour fungal growth, which is part of the biology that builds soil structure and captures long-term carbon. Fungi need other biology to provide food to survive and grow.

Growing

     Use only rainwater or non-chlorinated water. To remove chlorine, allow it to stand in the sun or aerate for 3 – 4 hours. 

     Mix into 40 litres non-chlorinated water or rainwater:  100 ml Fish emulsion,  200 ml Seaweed liquid,

     Soak starter in about 5 litres of water for 10 minutes, breaking lumps by hand, then add to brewing drum

     Brew for 24 hours in warm weather and 48 hours in cool weather

     Assess development under a microscope if feasible

     Apply within 4 hours after stopping aeration – if delays in application, then continue with aeration.

Tips

If a starter bag is used to keep the brew free from floating solids, ensure air is supplied directly into the bag. Otherwise, this may create anaerobic conditions. A free-floating starter dispersed throughout the brew is simpler and produces just as good a brew.

Clean the drums and pipes after each brew. Experience has taught that cleaning the equipment while wet is easier than later. Otherwise, the biology keeps working and “glues”itself to the equipment. Don’t overfill the tank – allow 10 cm for the jumping brew. The secret to success is maintaining a very jumpy brew at all times.