What is compost "leachate"?

Compost "leachate" is produced when water or humidity runs through a saturated compost heap. The liquid consists mainly of enzymes, hormones and soluble nutrients extracted from the compost. This "leachate" boosts plant growth by "building" the soil's structure, raising the percentage of nutrients in the soil and improving its water-retention capacity.

How and when to use compost "leachate"?

The "leachate" will be only as good as the compost from which it comes. A high-grade compost will bring the soil a wide variety of beneficial organisms, including fungi, protozoa, nematodes and bacteria.

By definition, composting is an aerobic process that requires air. So does the compost "leachate". The liquid collected in the composter base should ideally be pumped out at least once a week with the manual pump provided. Mix the "leachate" with water (which has rested 24 hours in the open to eliminate traces of chlorine if the water comes from a treatment plant) in a ratio of about 8:1, eight parts water to one part "leachate". Use for watering trees, flowers, houseplants and vegetables.

If you won't be watering regularly or are leaving on vacation, let the "leachate" drain directly onto the ground by removing the base's central plug and plugging up the adjacent holes. Do not use "leachate" which has been sitting in the base for several weeks. During winter in northern countries, it is essential to plug up the holes where the compost leachate accumulates to prevent freezing and the cracking of the base.