Compost tea or worm juice (leachate) is another by-product from composting. Compost tea is indirectly collected from a simple filtration system. Normally in a compost bin, there would be holes at the bottom of the bin to enable worm juice to be collected from the system. The red compost worms (Eisenia fetida) consume organic matter which passes through the gut system which is later converted into worm castings. These castings are then brewed in highly oxygenated water to accelerate beneficial microorganisms. The compost tea is then collected at the bottom of the tray or could be poured back into the compost bin for the process to be refined.

So what makes compost tea different from any other liquid fertilizers? Compost tea, or leachate, is rich in good nitrogen fixing bacteria which aids the plants and soil to be rich in nitrogen and rich minerals. One huge advantage of the compost tea is that it is highly water soluble and is thus easily available for the plants. Compared to pesticides and inorganic fertilizer, compost tea does not kill any of the microorganisms in the soil. Instead, tests have shown that induces plant growth.

Also, for all nature lovers, compost tea is totally organic and does not contribute towards global warming. The compost tea itself is made out of organic materials; therefore, it’s totally natural and zero waste. Remember also that one can only use compost tea at a certain limit. Apply daily to your plants and the results will show on the plant itself! Apply the compost tea directly to the soil circumference of the plant and not anywhere else. Try and find it out for yourself now!