🌱 Make Your Own Plant Probiotic☕

Worm tea (or compost tea) is a nutrient-rich, microbial-packed liquid made by steeping worm castings, nutrient-loaded worm poop, in water. Unlike solid castings, this tea is readily absorbed by plants and acts like a probiotic for your soil 

How to Make Worm Tea

You can make worm tea with a basic steeping method or go pro with an aerated brewer.

What you need:

Simple Method

  1.  1 - 2 Liters of finished worm castings
  2. A porous bag (cotton T-Shirt, pillowcase, tights, or cheese cloth)
  3. Chlorine-free or rain water
  4. Large 5‑gal bucket

Aerated Method (More potent)

  1. Same as a above
  2. Aquarium air pump
  3. 1/4 cup of honey, molasses or maple syrup

Procedure:

Simple Method

  1. Cup the castings into your porous bag and close it securely.
  2. Submerge in clean water inside your bucket.
  3. Steep for ~24 hours until the water turns dark-brown.
  4. Remove and discard or reuse the castings (add it to soil or return to the bin).
  5. Strain the liquid into a watering can or spray bottle 

Aerated Method

  1. Aerate plain water for 1 hour to off-gas chlorine.
  2. Add tea bag of castings and plugged-in aerator.
  3. Stir in ¼ cup of honey.
  4. Aerate for 24 hours—foam and bubbles indicate success.
  5. Strain and apply immediately 

Why Use Worm Tea?

  1. Boosts Soil Microbial LifeInfuses soil with bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and beneficial microbes, enhancing soil ecology 
  2. Disease & Pest ResistanceRich biology helps combat pathogens and insects; foliar sprays can create a protective waxy layer 
  3. Improves Germination & GrowthSeeds sprout more vigorously, and plants grow faster with fewer fertilizer-related burns 
  4. Increases YieldStudies show up to 25% boost in crop production when using worm tea 

Best Practices for Use

  • Apply fresh: Use within 2–3 hours of brewing to maximize live microbe benefits; store-bought concentrates may last longer, but activate only before use 
  • Timing matters: Early morning or late evening watering is most effective.
  • Dilution tips: While your home brew is gentle, you can dilute further if desired; for commercial teas, follow label directions 
  • Coverage: One 5‑gal batch treats up to 1 acre; just a little goes a long way 

How to Use Worm Tea

  • Fertigation: Water veggies, annuals, lawns, and trees weekly.
  • Foliar spray: Use a sprayer to coat leaves with a nourishing microbial mist.
  • Houseplant boost: Use diluted tea in pots every 2–4 weeks.
  • Drip irrigation backup: Add to your irrigation lines for slow-release feed.

What Happens to the Castings?

After brewing, the spent castings are still valuable:

  • Rake them into garden beds or mix into potting soil for added structure and nutrients.
  • Return them to your worm bin as bedding or top-dressing.

Equipment Tips & Warnings

  • Water quality is crucial. Chlorine and fluoride can kill beneficial microbes. If using tap water, let it sit or aerate first.
  • Aeration boost: Oxygen helps grow more beneficial bacteria and fungi 
  • Aerobic only: Never use leachate from worm bins as it's anaerobic and may contain pathogens