Worm Tea: How to Brew and Use Liquid Vermicompost Fertilizer

Worm tea (vermicompost tea) is a concentrated, microbe-rich liquid fertilizer made by extracting worm castings in water. Simple to make, powerful in action.

How to Brew

1. Use worm bin with spigot or a bucket with drainage/aeration.
2. Place handful of castings in 5 L warm water (rainwater best — no chlorine).
3. Add 1 tbsp molasses (microbe fuel).
4. Optional: feed worms fruit/veg scraps, tea bags, coffee grounds.
5. Aerate with aquarium pump 24–48 hrs (critical for aerobic microbes).
6. Strain, dilute 1:5–1:10, use immediately.

Benefits

• Increases plant size/yield
• Microbial slime improves soil water retention
• Safe — won't burn plants
• Fungicidal properties; suppresses mites, aphids, scale, whiteflies
• Odorless — indoor safe
• Replenishes soil biology

Key Rules

• No chlorine water (kills microbes)
• Aerate vigorously
• Use within hours — live microbes die off
• Earthy smell only; sour = discard

Worm tea turns kitchen waste into plant probiotics. The ultimate closed-loop garden input.