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49 Comments | Jill Winger |    Last Updated: June 25, 2020

How to Make Compost Tea

how to make compost tea

Since when did poop and water get so complicated?

When I began my research on compost teas, I figured it would be a fairly easy subject to tackle … Boy did I ever underestimate that one.

It’s no secret that compost is one of the best fertilizers you can possibly add to your garden. And the sky’s the limit when it comes to all the options you have when it comes to different styles of compost piles and the ingredients that you can use.

Compost tea is basically a brew made from water and finished compost (here’s how to make your own compost). It has a myriad of reported benefits and I like to think of it as a natural alternative to the “miracle growing” products sold at the gardening stores in town. It’s a fantastic, easy way to improve your garden soil.

Not only does compost tea add extra nutrients to your soil, it also has the potential to increase the microbe population in the soil. (Because I’m a big fan of good germs, and you should be, too.)

compost pile

When you start to learn about compost tea, you’ll quickly learn there are approximately nine million different compost tea methods, techniques, and recipes … And that is where it begins to get confusing.

The biggest differentiation in compost teas are the aerated or non-aerated varieties. Aerated compost tea (ACT) uses an electronic device of some sort (usually a bubbler for a fish tank, or something along those lines) to force oxygen into the brew, while non-aerated tea simply relies on water, compost, time, and a bucket.

As you can imagine, there is much debate as to which method is superior. Some folks swear by ACT and claim it is the only appropriate way to brew compost tea, while others reason that there is no scientific research backing these claims.

After a lot of digging around, I’ve settled on non-aerated compost tea for my homestead, and here’s why:

  1. Simplicity- While I will be the first to admit that there are probably benefits to ACT, I simply do not have the time to add another semi-labor intensive project to my homestead. If gardening is your primary passion, then by all means, I encourage you to do some research and become an aerated tea expert. But keeping it simple is my number one priority right now.
  2. History- Different cultures have been brewing forms of compost tea for centuries. I’m pretty sure they didn’t have fish tank motors.
  3. Laziness– Err… I meant efficiency. 😉 Steeping and stirring sounds better to me than babysitting an aeration system.

As I mentioned above, if you want to pursue the ACT methods, I think that’s great. But if you are a homesteader like I am who struggles to keep her head above water, let’s keep it simple, shall we?

steeping compost tea in bucketHow to Make Compost Tea

  • 5 gallon bucket
  • 1 shovel-scoop of good-quality finished compost (as you can see, the quantities here are super-scientific)
  • Non-chlorinated water (rain water is great, too!)

Instructions

  1. Dump the shovel-full of finished compost into the five gallon bucket. Fill the rest of the way with water. Stir vigorously, and set aside for about a week. Stir it once or twice a day.
  2. When you are ready to use it, strain the compost from the water.

straining compost tea

How to apply:

  • Your finished compost tea can be used undiluted, or if it turns out very dark, try diluting it 1:1 with water.
  • It may be sprayed directly on the leaves of your plants or poured around the roots and allowed to soak into the soil (I personally prefer using it as a soil drench). If you are applying your tea to a large area, it can be diluted further to make it stretch.

Compost Tea Notes

  • Here’s how to make compost, if you’re new to the idea. I suppose you could buy compost for this recipe, too, but buying compost sounds a wee bit crazy to me. 😉
  • You can also use worm castings for homemade compost tea.
  • Some sources warn against compost tea since they are worried it could harbor dangerous bacteria like salmonella or e.Coli 0157:H7, since these organisms reside in manure. This is why it is important to use finished compost, and not raw manure. Other experts warn not to spray the foliage of a plant if you plant to consume it or its fruit right away. Personally? I’m not too worried about this, but I wanted you to have the full story. Since I’m using compost from my healthy, grass-fed animals, instead of manure from questionable sources, I feel completely comfortable using compost tea in my garden. But in the end, I’ll leave the choice up to you.
  • As mentioned above, my compost pile is a giant pile of horse and cow manure that we turn with the tractor and allow to “cook” until it becomes beautiful, mellow compost. You could absolutely use kitchen compost for your compost tea as well.
  • You can add other stuff to your compost tea, like kelp, molasses, etc, to add various nutrients to the soil if you need them. Me? Well, I like to keep it simple.

Listen to the Old Fashioned On Purpose podcast episode #6 on the topic All You Ever Needed To Know About Compost Tea HERE.

homemade compost tea recipeOther DIY Garden Goodness:

  • DIY Organic Pest Control Spray for Gardens
  • How to Use Diatomaceous Earth in your Garden
  • DIY Garden Spoon Markers
  • 7 Ways to Naturally Improve Garden Soil
  • How to Make and Use Compost in Your Garden

49 Comments | Gardening

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Reader Interactions

49 Comments

  1. Crazy Chicken Lady says

    July 28, 2016 at 8:27 pm

    This sounds great! Can’t wait to try it out!

    reply to comment
  2. Leah Lynch says

    July 29, 2016 at 8:24 am

    Only you could make compost tea look pretty in the pictures:)

    reply to comment
    • Candi says

      August 1, 2016 at 7:07 am

      No kidding! Ha

      reply to comment
    • Jill Winger says

      August 17, 2016 at 3:16 pm

      Haha… I had to think about it– not easy. 😉

      reply to comment
  3. Courtney says

    July 29, 2016 at 8:02 pm

    Thank you for this post; I’ve been reading up on compost teas as well, and it seemed like information overload. I love the simplicity of your explanation!

    reply to comment
    • Jill Winger says

      August 17, 2016 at 3:16 pm

      Simple is my fav!

      reply to comment
    • Wilda says

      April 14, 2019 at 8:02 am

      Before I even read your reasons for staying with the old fashioned way of making compost tea, my eyes rolled at the thought of a more complicated way. I am a “keep it simple” kind of gal. I want to enjoy gardening, not make it a formidable chore. Thanks for all the great tips. I will also follow your tips for using diatomaceous earth. I don’t want to hurt the bees either.

      reply to comment
  4. Nancy Ferguson says

    July 31, 2016 at 12:01 pm

    Why bother to strain it, especially if using near the root systems?

    reply to comment
    • Summer says

      August 3, 2016 at 9:00 am

      I was curious about that also. What is the benefits of straining if I would otherwise have put the compost directly on my plants’ roots?

      reply to comment
      • Jill Winger says

        August 17, 2016 at 3:14 pm

        I supposed you could skip the straining if you are just pouring or leaving in an open bucket– if you want to put it in a sprayer or a sealed container though, straining is key.

        reply to comment
        • Kathy says

          May 12, 2018 at 10:49 am

          If you are straining worm castings the “dredges” can be put back in the worm bin.

          reply to comment
  5. Julie...the llama mama! says

    August 3, 2016 at 11:12 am

    We have llamas and goats. We use their “beans” directly on our plants, since it’s not “hot. The downside to using it directly is that it does take awhile before the beans disintegrate. I have used llama and goat tea on my deck flowers in the spring and summer but, when it’s time to move my outdoor plants inside, I usually go for a weak commercial fertilizer to avoid the “aroma” in the house!
    Also…this is a word to the wise, and I believe most of you followers are wise! Several years ago, a friend and I got the novel idea of recycling wine bottles and bottling the “llama bean tea”. DO NOT seal the tea! It causes methane gas! My friend had a bottle sitting in her kitchen with plans to give it to another friend. The gas built up in the bottle, popped the cork and you can imagine the rest of the story!

    reply to comment
    • Jill Winger says

      August 17, 2016 at 3:14 pm

      Ooooh… compost tea explosion = bad. 😉

      reply to comment
  6. Dennis Barrow says

    August 3, 2016 at 11:38 am

    I have been doing the shovel in a 5 gallon bucket method for many years. Start off by accident, had some compost in the bucket that I was going to mix into the garden, but it started to rain and I forgot about it for a few days. Remembered it, stirred it for a couple days and poured it on a garden area to see how it did.
    Plants there grew about twice what everything else was, so have been using this method.
    I have seen many post on compost tea ever since and some so complicated it makes me wonder if an engineer was involved…. lol

    reply to comment
    • Jill Winger says

      August 17, 2016 at 3:13 pm

      I bet there was! 😉

      reply to comment
    • Debra says

      January 24, 2017 at 5:52 am

      I pour it right over my dragon fruit plants. They grew twice as big in 4 weeks with new stems popping up all over. I love compost tea. I starting adding a garden molasses to it also.

      reply to comment
  7. Lynda Steinke says

    August 3, 2016 at 2:11 pm

    How often does one apply compost tea to plants? Do we need to worry about too much if it is made properly? I make it and then get afraid I’ll use too much and kill my plants!

    reply to comment
    • Jill Winger says

      August 17, 2016 at 3:13 pm

      I usually add a cup or two around each plant. I don’t worry about it too much, though.

      reply to comment
  8. Pamela Groppe says

    August 4, 2016 at 12:33 pm

    One note, if you have water that is chlorinated, just let it sit in the bucket (before adding compost) and the chlorine will evaporate in 24 hours. Then you can add your compost for the tea.
    I love using compost tea and have for years and I use your simple method too, it is effective enough as you can see from my garden photos on my blog.
    Like you, why make it difficult when the simple method has worked for ages and ages.

    reply to comment
    • Jill Winger says

      August 17, 2016 at 3:13 pm

      Yes– great reminder!

      reply to comment
      • Sue says

        June 15, 2017 at 10:21 am

        As long as your municipal water isnt treated whith chlorinal which does not break down the same

        reply to comment
  9. Dianne says

    August 6, 2016 at 7:08 pm

    Great information. Will be using this.

    reply to comment
  10. Don P says

    August 11, 2016 at 5:58 am

    I really enjoy your web site and always read your blogs. Question – Is there a reason I would not want to use dog poop in my compost pile ? Where do I find info on the how to/best way to compost for a home garden. I really can’t afford to spend $300 on a fancy compost setup.
    Thanks,
    Don P.

    reply to comment
    • Jill Winger says

      August 11, 2016 at 12:18 pm

      Hi Don,

      Dog, cat, or any carnivore manure is NOT recommended for use in compost, due to possible pathogens. You don’t need a fancy set up– just a bin or pile that is able to be deep enough to create heat and microbial action.

      reply to comment
  11. Karen says

    September 14, 2016 at 7:57 am

    I have been wanting to try compost tea, and your article is like a swift kick in the pants! Because our climate is so arid and windy, I find our compost: 1) does not fully degrade without regular watering; and, 2) is blown away as soon as I get it down. I think the tea would work wonders, as the nutrients would seep into the water and be easily absorbed – not blown off my garden. I will try longer “cooking” times, though, just in case.

    reply to comment
  12. Audrey says

    May 3, 2017 at 4:18 pm

    On her allotment in London, my sister makes Comfrey tea by stuffing the leaves into bottles, filling with water and leaving to brew in the sun till nice and dark and smelly. Then dilutes it and waters the plants. You can do it in larger containers but that was what she had.

    reply to comment
  13. Bob Taylor says

    May 4, 2017 at 8:43 am

    first – i am not a serious gardener and have no field experience using compost tea. 2nd, this article is just one persons research into the topic of compost tea – but i have known the author via the internet for many years and pretty much trust her judgement on things related to plants. yes, even peer reviewed studies need careful scrutiny – but i believe that using compost tea just adds an unnecessary step to growing plants, and using the tea should be the exception, not the rule. here’s the study – as usual, your mileage may vary, but being on the minimalist side, i like to keep things as simple as possible.
    http://www.gardenmyths.com/compost-tea-does-it-work/

    reply to comment
    • Elizabeth L. Johnson says

      June 30, 2017 at 12:15 pm

      The test recorded in this article probably doesn’t compare with Jill’s advice, because the test was done for only aerated compost/manure.

      reply to comment
  14. Shyley says

    June 20, 2017 at 9:00 am

    Hello,
    The compost in my bin is ready to go and I’m going to give this method a try starting tonight! Very excited!
    If I don’t use all the tea I make can I just leave it sit there and steep for another couple of weeks or do I need to use everything I make and start over?

    reply to comment
    • Shyley says

      June 20, 2017 at 9:15 am

      Oh, and should the bucket be in the shade or in the sun or does it matter?

      reply to comment
  15. norah stack says

    June 21, 2017 at 9:03 am

    I have read that worm compost tea is too strong at full strength and should be well diluted.

    reply to comment
  16. Daryle in VT says

    June 21, 2017 at 12:32 pm

    Grandpa used to put a shovel full of composted manure in a burlap bag and drop the bag in a water barrel.
    This usually worked throughout the growing season, basically until the burlap decomposed. I remember him pouring the finished “tea” down the row between the plants.

    reply to comment
  17. Danielle says

    March 2, 2018 at 7:42 pm

    I am so glad I came across this! I made compost tea one year before we moved, and I had a GORGEOUS garden. My garden probably could have used this last year. I’ll have to remember this this year 🙂

    reply to comment
  18. Jackie says

    May 30, 2018 at 7:29 am

    As I don’t have ready access to manure, can I buy a bag of cow compost from Home Depot/Lowes and use it in the compost tea? Thanks for the info.

    reply to comment
    • Jill Winger says

      May 31, 2018 at 1:19 pm

      I think that would work!

      reply to comment
  19. Don Galaway says

    May 30, 2018 at 8:02 am

    Timely article since I am about to begin a batch of tea today. Thanks for the encouragement.

    reply to comment
  20. Brenda Taylor Johnson says

    June 22, 2018 at 1:08 pm

    You need to use an air pump for circulation to get the bacteria to develop for about 36 hours. I also use a large nylon tea bag to hold my compost. After 36 hours, I clean my equipment and start a new batch. My research recommends using an air pump.

    reply to comment
  21. Owl says

    May 22, 2019 at 11:33 am

    I am physically limited and tried the compost turning method that seems most prevalent but, this year I saw/read someone using all the same matter that would go into a compost bin in a big barrel in the garden. You simply dump a bucket or so of composted poop in and add water, then add scraps, Epsom salts, molasses, whatever, to it as the season progresses. I will occasionally add more poop if it starts getting pale colored but otherwise feed my plants every few days since I use raised beds and have my plants pretty thick. I don’t strain it more than holding my pitcher against the side so I have random carrot tops or egg shells around my plants but, so far, they don’t complain.

    reply to comment
  22. Bloomington Tree Pros says

    June 15, 2019 at 8:57 am

    I love the simplicity of this recipe. When I first heard of compost tea I thought it was super complicated. Grateful I stumbled upon this post and read about this recipe. So excited to try this recipe out. Thanks for this!

    reply to comment
  23. Anthea says

    July 10, 2019 at 5:44 am

    Love this idea. I had never thought of using the actual compost to make liquid fertiliser (tea) but I do throw the nettles I cut down and also comfrey into an old water butt and let them soak. It’s wise to keep the bucket/tank/butt quite far away from the house as the rotting down greenery really stinks – especially the comfrey.

    reply to comment
  24. Robert Brandenton says

    September 30, 2019 at 7:36 pm

    useful information on topics that plenty are interested on for this wonderful post.Admiring the time and effort you put into your b!

    reply to comment
    • Kayla- Prairie Homestead Assistant says

      October 1, 2019 at 8:13 am

      Thank you for your support! 🙂

      reply to comment
  25. Tree Service Denton says

    December 12, 2019 at 9:04 pm

    Hi! This website is so amazing!Very good webpage.thanks alot god blessed…

    reply to comment
  26. buylikess.com says

    February 17, 2020 at 7:30 pm

    Helpful info. Fortunate me I found your site by
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    I bookmarked it.

    reply to comment
    • Kayla- Prairie Homestead Assistant says

      February 19, 2020 at 1:24 pm

      So glad you found the blog!

      reply to comment
  27. Beth says

    March 29, 2020 at 10:25 am

    Can I use runoff water which drains from the bottom of my compost barrel as tea? The barrel has two sides, one which is “more ripe”. Or is it just better to put a few scoops in water? Also, can the compost tea be safely used on seedlings I started?

    reply to comment
  28. MARIAN says

    May 30, 2020 at 10:37 am

    Besides for spraying purposes, do you need to strain the compost before applying?

    reply to comment
  29. Chris says

    August 11, 2020 at 4:50 am

    Still seems a lot of work to me. My compost goes straight back on the beds in Autumn and Spring. I have some water butts. Any nettles or broad leaf weeds I pull out of the beds I put into a net bag normally used to wash your smalls and not lose them in the machine, and hang that into the water butts. That makes a great “tea” and I water those plants that need it once a week with it. As they say, life’s too short to peel a mushroom!

    reply to comment
  30. online blackjack says

    August 16, 2020 at 1:38 pm

    You really make it appear so easy with your presentation but I in finding this matter to be really one thing that
    I feel I might never understand. It sort of feels too
    complicated and extremely large for me. I’m having a look ahead on your subsequent submit,
    I’ll try to get the cling of it!

    reply to comment

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