How to Make Compost Tea

January 27, 2025 Bill Hageman

Compost tea is a great way to provide your plants with a biologically rich, nutrient-packed liquid fertilizer. It’s perfect for farms, vineyards, orchards, market gardens, and even golf courses. Follow this step-by-step guide to brewing your own compost tea.

What You’ll Need:

Compost tea brewer (e.g., Growing Solutions 100-gallon brewer)
High-quality compost
Compost Tea Catalyst or another microbial food source
Potable water (aerated if using city water to remove chlorine)
Aerating stones
Hose and clean brewing equipment

Step 1: Prepare the Brewer

Start by attaching the hose and filling the tank to the gallon marker. Ensure all brewing equipment is thoroughly cleaned. If you're using city water, allow it to aerate for at least 30 minutes to dissipate chlorine, which can harm the beneficial microbes in the compost tea.

Step 2: Add the Compost Tea Catalyst

Add food for the microbes, such as Compost Tea Catalyst, which is specifically formulated to promote diverse microbial growth without encouraging harmful bacteria. This step enhances the tea’s biological activity.

Step 3: Fill the Screen with Compost

Use high-quality compost, such as the biodynamic compost made at Fulcrum Farms. Fill the screen provided with your brewer until there's about an inch of screen visible. Install the holding tray with the groove facing back and slide the screen into the aerating water. Add aerating stones to each screen for even aeration.

Step 4: Brew the Compost Tea

Once the screen is installed, put the lid on the brewer and let it brew for 24 hours. During this time, the compost tea will become biologically active and rich in nutrients.

Step 5: Use Your Compost Tea

After brewing, your compost tea is ready to use. You can enhance it with a water-soluble fertilizer if desired, but it’s highly beneficial for your plants on its own. Apply it to your garden, orchard, or farm to improve soil health and plant vitality.