composts liquid drippings

by Donna
(Sarnia Ont. Canada)

My husband made me a rotating composter.When I turn it I can drain the liquid off it into a container.I,m wondering how to ue it.Do I need to dilute it for fertilizer?I would love your help with this question.

Doug says the liquid coming from the bottom of the compost bin is considered "compost leachate". I've written about it here and described the difference between it and compost tea.

The problem with leachate is that it is anaerobic and while it has nutrient value (the extra water dissolves some of the nutrients and carries them out of the compost) it also "may" contain pathogens from the composting without oxygen (water soaked=no oxygen)

So it's generally not something we put on the garden. Some folks do - some don't. The "official" position of organic aerobic tea specialists is not to use it but it's your garden.