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Strings tied to a metal rack with compost tea bags hanging into a large barrel of compost tea.

Compost Tea

Learn to make your own compost tea and fertilize your garden for incredible growth and healthy soil.
4.73 from 11 votes
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Keyword: Compost Tea
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Brewing Time: 1 day
Total Time: 1 day 35 minutes
Servings: 50 gallons
Author: Jessica Sowards

Equipment

  • 1 55-gallon barrel or 5-gallon bucket
  • 1 Electro Magnetic Air pump
  • 1 Strong Wire Rack
  • 1 5-gallon bucket additional bucket for mixing

Ingredients

  • 15 lbs worm castings or 1.5-2 lbs per 5 gallons of water
  • 8 Micron filter bags
  • 2 Tablespoons molasses or 1 teaspoon for 5 gallons
  • 3 Tablespoons fish emulsion or 1.5 teaspoons for 5 gallons
  • 1 cup Azomite or 1.5 Tablespoons for 5 gallons
  • water non-chlorinated

Instructions

  • Be sure you gather all your supplies and have your pump set up and ready before you begin.
  • Fill micron bags with worm castings and tie to secure.
  • Add Azomite to the barrel or bucket and enough water to dilute the Azomite completely. It's important to dilute it completely, so it doesn't gum up and plug your air stones.
  • In another bucket, add molasses and fish emulsion with enough water to stir in and dissolve the molasses. It will be very fragrant, so making it in a well-ventilated area is recommended!
  • Add the molasses and fish emulsion mixture into the Azomite mixture and add water, leaving about 6-inches of space at the top of the barrel (or a few inches if using a 5-gallon bucket).
  • Submerge air stones (or fish tank bubbler) and place them at the bottom of the barrel. Turn on the air pump until you have a nice bubble going. It doesn't have to be bubbling like crazy, you just want a good amount of air going through the water.
  • Tie your compost tea bags to the rack and lower them into the water. Make sure the tea bags aren't pressing up against the edge of the barrel or bucket. You want air to flow all around them.
  • Allow to "steep" or "brew" for 24 hours.
  • Dilute compost tea with equal parts water and use immediately.

Video

Notes

  • You can add undiluted compost tea directly to garden soil that's well mulched. If applying compost tea to plants or delicate roots, it's best to dilute 50/50 with water.
  • Use compost tea within 24 hours of brewing. If you have unused compost tea, it will become anaerobic and will not be full of life, therefore it won't have the same benefits or effects when added to the garden.