Hi guys,

Thought I’d just clarify something regarding ‘worm tea’ because I’ve recently seen and read many misconceptions about how to make it and it’s actually a lot more involved than what most people think.

Proper worm tea is amazing because it can be used as both a valuable soil health tonic and a foliar spray, which is awesome and can act as both a pesticide and fungicide saving a ton of money on synthetic chemicals, which often have to be consistently replenished and supplemented on a regular basis.

However, compost teas can also vary significantly just like castings and there are many variables that can influence its quality eg. quality of castings used, type of castings produced for the environment, how it’s brewed, brewing time, equipment used, optimal oxygen rates and so on…

Unfortunately there is a lot of misinformation on the internet promoted by well meaning people about making ‘worm tea’ and most brewing methods don’t have anywhere near what’s required to do it correctly to end up with a high quality finished product.

So, if you don’t have access to a properly designed tea brewing system (the good one’s can also be pretty costly), then making an ‘Extract’ is usually the next best option, especially for the home worm farmer who just wants a simple and easy way to make a decent organic product to help keep their plants and garden in good nick.

If you feel you fit into that category, then here’s a simple and easy way to do it…

1. Fill a bucket with de-chlorinated water (preferably rain water)

2. Add a handful of high quality moist friable castings (not overly wet anaerobic smelly stuff that’s chock-a-block full of bad bacteria) and stir it vigorously a few times to get some oxygen into it and dissolve the castings. Not all of the castings will dissolve and that’s okay.

*If you want to get all fancy schmancy, you can also make an aerated extract by simply placing the castings into an old sock, stocking, paint strainer or calico bag and steep it in the water for a few hours and even add some oxygen with an aquarium pump, but it’s not really necessary.

Some also choose to run their castings through a sieve or paint strainer, which is not a bad idea. But again, that’s a personal preference and not a necessity.

It can then be added to a watering can (spout off or it may block up) and as a precaution, should be applied as a soil drench only around your indoor / outdoor ornamental plants and VERY carefully as a soil drench only around the edibles in your vege bed.

When using an extract, you will usually be applying the valuable microbes at their spore stage and they’ll continue to bloom and work their magic to keep your plants in good heath. 😉👍

Now although the good bacteria may be stored for a short period because of it’s facultative nature, it’s still recommended to be used immediately to get the most from it.

When microbes die, they also convert to nitrogen in the soil and in turn help contribute to the nitrogen cycle, which of course your plants benefit from.

Pretty cool right?

So just remember the fresher, the better and if by chance it does smell… it should always smell rich and earthy.

If it smells bad, then it usually is bad and should not be used. 😉👍

*When it comes to vege beds, I usually recommend using quality castings and just til them directly into the soil (about a handful at a time or approx. 20% of soil volume) and liberally mulch over the top. This is usually the best and safest way to protect the microbes and avoid any potential harm to your plants.

Alternatively, you can put a worm farm feeding station in your vege bed and the worms will go in and out of that to feed and naturally fertilize the soil near the feeding station. This is a really super simple and low maintenance system for those who are time poor, but still want to enjoy the many benefits of creating their own home grown produce.

Chris 😊👍