Making Worm Tea Tutorial
Making
worm tea is very, very simple and anyone can do it, but it is paramount
that these steps be followed to a "tea" (pun intended). Many people
think that they can cut corners or skimp on measurements because
they're in a hurry. This is a very delicate process and it takes time
and patience. If it's not done right you could risk the chance of
ruining your entire lawn, garden, or plants by putting harmful
microbes into your soil. Remember this is not hard. It just takes time
and simply following instructions correctly.
Text Tutorial
What you will need:
-
One 5 Gallon bucket or equivalent
-
String of any kind
-
One 20-60 Gallon, Double Outlet Aquarium Air Pump
-
Several feet of aquarium tubing
-
Two large bubble stones and two small bubble stones
-
Two aquarium tubing T-valve connectors
-
A one gallon paint strainer
-
One bottle of hydrogen peroxide
-
(Optional) Drill and 5/16 inch drill bit
-
One bottle of molasses
Step #1
Drill two holes in the side near the top of the container 1 inch apart.
This is where you will use the string to hang the bag of castings. If
you don't have a drill and a drill bit then you can just tie the bag
to the handle
Step #2
Place
the two large bubble stones in the container and connect an 4 inch
hose to each end. Connect the T-valve to both ends of the hoses. Now
attach one long hose to the last hole on the T-valve to where ever the
pump will be.
Step #3
Repeat step #2. using the smaller bubble stones. making worm tea
Step #4
Install
the check valves that came with the pump somewhere in between the
pump and container. Be careful to install them in the right direction.
This is to prevent siphoning from the tank to the pump. If you do not
have any check valves them make sure you place the pump above the
water to prevent the water from siphoning.
Step #5
Fill the container with water. Caution: use
rain water or pond water. Tap water has chlorine which will kill your
microbes. Stay away from treated water of any kind. That also goes
for bottled water. If tap water is your only source then you will
have to run the system for 4 hours without any castings. You can also
set your water out in the sun for a day. This will allow the chlorine
to gas out. Chlorine is added to the water to kill any and all
microorganisms.
The one good thing about chlorine is that it burns out fast. Hang in there. You'll be making worm tea in no time. making worm tea
Step #6
Put a couple of handfuls of castings into the paint strainer. Now put the small bubble stones in as well. Place the bag into the water and tie it off with the string to the holes you predrilled. The bag should sit just under the water making sure that all castings are submerged.
Step #7
Turn the system on and slowly add 1/2 ounce of molasses. The molasses is the catalyst to grow your microbes. It serves as their food source. After 8 hrs. take the bag out. By now you should have enough microbes to work with. They will begin to multiply exponentially. You may now dump the castings back into the worm bin.making worm tea
Step #8
After 24-36 hrs. spread on your soil or plants. Dilute the tea in whichever way you like. The water is only a carrier. The 5 gallons will treat approximately 1 acre of soil. Mix the tea with 50 gallons of untreated water or use is straight. You cannot put too much on. Remember, it's just healthy, living microorganisms.
Spray or shower your plants. Be sure to get under the leaves as well. The bigger the drops are the longer it will soak into the plant if using as a foliar spray.
Note: You must use the tea Immediately or it will become anaerobic. Lack of oxygen will promote the bad microbes to populate. HAPPY WORM TEAING! making worm tea
Bruce Deuley and Bob Webster explain the concept of compost tea and the microbial community within the soil web. This video is about 90 min., but very interesting.