Brew Your Own Nitrogen Booster (BYO Weeds)"
In the Bay Area, plants like cleavers and oxalis often get a bad rap. They're hated for being invasive, “ugly,” even “garden villains.” But if you look closer, they’re offering you something valuable: free, nitrogen-rich green matter — the perfect fuel for your plants and compost. The bright yellow flowers are also an early food for early spring pollinators!
Oxalis and cleavers are chopped with a string trimmer (optional) to get ready for brewing. Rainwater is best, or let water sit in the sun for a day or so to dechlorinate.
Instead of tossing them out, you can put them to work before they end up in your compost pile. I make a simple, fermented tea. I named mine “nitro brew,” as a nod to the coffee byproduct theme. It’s a homemade compost accelerator that helps break down piles faster. Harvesting these materials becomes a pleasure rather than a task because I know this rich ingredient will help my garden thrive.
Making this easy, forgiving, and powerful. BYO weeds - while some plants are ideal, comfrey is often used similarly, use what you already have around you, or ask a neighbor!
Why Nitrogen Matters
Nitrogen is like rocket fuel for compost. It feeds the microbes that do the heavy lifting, turning kitchen scraps, straw, and garden waste into rich, living soil. When a pile is nitrogen-poor, it stalls. When it’s balanced, it heats up, breaks down faster, and creates better compost.
How To Make:
Grab greens like cleavers, oxalis, or grass clippings — enough to fill about ¼ of your container.
(Rough ratio: 1 part greens to 3–4 parts water.)
Add water until the container is about ¾ full, covering most of the greens.
Let it ferment outside for 5–14 days, stirring when you remember.
It’s ready when it smells like mild kombucha — earthy, a little tangy, sometimes bubbly/see my bubbly video below!
Use to boost compost piles (especially ones already heating up) or lightly feed garden beds that need extra nitrogen and moisture, dilute if very dark green/strong smell.
Optional Tip: If you want easy cleanup, pack the greens into a burlap sack or mesh bag before adding water — it acts like a giant reusable tea bag!
How I Use It
Boost new piles: Pour Nitro Brew over fresh compost piles to jumpstart decomposition.
Wake up slow piles: If a pile seems sleepy, a splash gets it heating again.
Maintain cooking piles: It's perfect for piles that are already hot and active when you don't want to add a lot of bulky material but want to add fresh nitrogen and moisture.
Garden beds: I sometimes water it (diluted) around established plants that need a gentle nitrogen boost.
Extra Tips
Small gardens or pots: Prepare mini-batches in a mason jar or small bucket. Store in bottles in a dark, cool place. If carbonated, don’t seal them too tightly!
Big piles: scale up using a trash can filled with greens and water, along with a tap, as I did after conducting tests on a smaller scale.
Plants needing extra TLC: Water the soil (not the leaves) with a diluted Nitro Brew if a plant looks pale or tired.
Big Bertha - a trash can with a spigot for nitrogen fermented “tea” for compost boosting. Smaller, test version in blue bucket behind Bertha.
Try It!
Making your own Compost Nitro Brew is easy, low-risk, and seriously satisfying. It turns unwanted weeds into powerful fuel for healthier soil — fast, free, and full of life.
Trust your nose, trust your instincts, and enjoy watching your compost (and your garden) thrive.
Feel free to email me with any questions or just to chat! maggie@thevelveteenbean.com
