Worm casting tea is an eco-friendly liquid fertilizer that nourishes your plants and improves soil health. It’s easy to make, safe for your plants, and packed with nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Here’s how to make and use it.
Ingredients:
- 1 glass jar with a lid (16 oz or quart size)
- 2 tablespoons of worm castings
- 16 oz of water (rainwater or chlorine-free tap water)
- A small strainer, mesh bag, or cheesecloth
- optional: watering can, spray bottle
Prepare the Tea:
Method 1 (Using a Mesh Bag or Strainer):
- Add 2 tablespoons of worm castings into a mesh bag or strainer.
- Fill a jar with 16 oz of water, submerge the strainer, and seal the jar.
- Let it steep for 12-24 hours in a warm, shaded area, shaking the jar gently a few times.
- After steeping, remove the mesh bag and gently squeeze it to release any remaining liquid.
Method 2 (Direct Steeping & Straining):
- Add 2 tablespoons of worm castings directly into a jar with 16 oz of water.
- Let it steep for 12-24 hours, shaking the jar gently a few times.
- After steeping, pour the tea through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into another jar to remove solids.
💡Tip: Don’t discard the leftover castings, you can sprinkle them around your garden beds or containers or mix them into your soil.
Dilution & Application:
- For Outdoor Plants: Dilute tea at a 1:1 ratio (tea to water) and apply with a watering can.
- For Indoor Plants/Seedlings: Dilute at a 1:3 ratio to prevent overfeeding.
- Foliar Spray: Pour diluted tea into a spray bottle and mist leaves for a nutrient boost.
How to Use:
- For Small Plants & Containers: Pour the tea directly onto the soil at the base of plants, allowing the water to soak in.
- For Leaf Spray: Use a spray bottle to mist plant leaves for quick nutrient absorption, ideal for leafy greens and small plants.
- For Garden Beds & Larger Plants: Water plants thoroughly with diluted tea for an even distribution of nutrients.
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For Seedlings:
Use a more diluted solution to prevent overfeeding and mist with a spray bottle to help seedlings develop strong roots.
Uses of Worm Tea:
- Boosts Plant Growth: Provides essential nutrients and improves soil structure.
- Enhances Soil Health: Enriches soil with beneficial microbes.
- Supports Pest Resistance: Helps plants fend off pests like aphids naturally.
- Improves Water Retention: Reduces the need for frequent watering.
- Safe for All Plants: Nourishes without the risk of over-fertilization.
Tips:
- You can adjust the dilution based on your garden’s needs.
- Worm castings won’t harm or burn your plants, unlike other fertilizers.
- Use fresh tea for best results, and apply every 2-4 weeks during the growing season.
