Frequently asked questions
Worm casting compost extract is an effective and powerful soil amendment, but it has a short shelf life. For best results, we only sell this locally and brew it on the day of delivery. For the most beneficial bacteria and peak microbe populations, you should use compost teas and extracts right away. After 72 hours, aerobic microbes start to die off, and anaerobic microbes take over. If the tea smells sour, it has gone anaerobic and should not be used on plants, as it may carry plant-harming pathogens.
Do not be afraid to use worm casting compost extracts on your plants and soil, though. Soil bacteria are extremely diverse, and the overwhelming majority are healthy and extremely beneficial to plant and soil health. Just use it within 72 hours for best results.
Worm casting compost extract can be applied with or without dilution. Mature houseplants and garden plants can benefit from undiluted worm compost tea. If you are using the tea on young plants, seedlings, or if you simply want to stretch the use and volume of the tea, it is advised to dilute it to a 1:10 ratio with non-chlorinated water. Rainwater is best. Well water that is not treated with chlorine is a great option as well. If you don’t have either of these, you can off-gas tap water by filling a container and leaving it to sit without a lid for 24 hours.
We like to take 16 oz of worm casting compost extract and 1 gallon of rainwater in a handheld sprayer and spray our young vegetables and fruits in the garden in early spring. We then apply it once every month throughout the growing season. For those who are looking for an amazing organic alternative to lawn fertilizers, worm casting compost extract also makes an excellent organic lawn soil amendment.
We brew our worm casting compost extract with 100% worm castings and a little bit of molasses to give the microbes an extra boost in food while they wait to find a new home in your garden. We brew our worm casting compost extract with the idea that we want to replicate a consistent product that is always full of life and ready for you to use as soon as you get it. Think of it like single origin coffee from a third wave coffee shop for your soil.