WormMainea
Worm castings and compost tea

Vermicompost Tea

It's easy to make nutrient-rich, liquid fertilizer from your worms' castings

How to Use Worm Tea

Worm tea may be used as a liquid fertilizer (poured onto the soil), applied by spraying the leaves of the plant, or both. If you choose to spray the leaves, do so in the morning when plants are most receptive to this form of feeding. If you apply worm tea when you water, the nutrients filter down into the soil to the roots of your plants where they are readily absorbed.

Watering plants with liquid fertilizer

Do not store the tea in a closed container — it will build up pressure and may blow the lid off.

Making Simple Vermicompost Tea

Step 1 — place castings in a sock or bag in a bucket of water
1

Take approximately one pound of castings and place in a sock or bag. Place in a 5-gallon bucket of water and swish it around for a few minutes.

Step 2 — let sit, dilute, and water your plants
2

Let it sit for a day or two and swish it around when you think of it. Dilute 2:1 (5 gallons makes 10) and use to water your plants.

Brewing Vermicompost Tea

These instructions provide step-by-step guidance to make worm compost tea. The photos and instructions are for brewing 5 gallons of tea (final volume will be 10 gallons), but you can scale it up as needed.

What You'll Need

  • Clean 5-gallon bucket with lid
  • 10 gallons of rain water (or tap water that has sat out overnight)
  • Mesh or cloth bag with string to close
  • Aquarium bubbler
  • Worm compost/castings (1 pound for 5 gallons)
  • Molasses (or other simple sugar)

Steps

  1. 1Fill the 5-gallon bucket with soft water. Fill mesh or cloth bag with castings (see Harvesting/Sorting your bin for instructions to make worm compost). Tie bag closed with string.
  2. 2Place aquarium bubbler in bucket and turn on. Tie bag to side of bucket and sink to the bottom. Both bag and bubbler should be underwater and the water should be bubbling vigorously.
  3. 3Cover and let sit for 24 hours. If you want to really boost the number of microorganisms in the tea, add a tablespoon of molasses after 12–16 hours.
  4. 4You've made worm tea! Remove the bubbler and bag. Dilute 2:1 with rainwater and feed your plants and soil. After the bubbler stops, you must use the tea within a few hours.

Ready to Get Started?

Pick up worm castings from our store and start brewing your own nutrient-rich vermicompost tea today.

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