Compost Tea

Compost Tea: Brewing Fertility

Organic Gardening Tips
January 14, 2025•2 min read

Want to supercharge your soil without chemicals? Learn how to brew compost tea—an all-natural elixir that feeds plants, boosts microbes, and brings your garden to life.

What Is Compost Tea? (Hint: Don’t Drink It)

Compost tea is not your next herbal blend. It’s a liquid extract made by steeping finished compost in water—basically a probiotic smoothie for your soil. Rich in beneficial microbes and nutrients, it delivers fertility straight to the root zone.

Why It’s a Garden Game-Changer

  • Feeds soil biology: Adds life, not just nutrients

  • Boosts plant immunity: Helps fend off disease naturally

  • Improves nutrient uptake: Especially useful for tired or compacted soils

  • Saves money: Homemade and scalable from a bucket to a barrel

How to Brew Basic Compost Tea

You’ll need:

  • 1 part mature compost (dark, crumbly, no stink)

  • 5–10 parts dechlorinated water (rainwater is perfect)

  • A 5-gallon bucket

  • Optional: molasses (1–2 tablespoons) to feed microbes

  • Optional: aquarium pump and air stone (for aerated tea)

Steps:

  1. Fill bucket with water and let it sit 24 hours if using tap (to off-gas chlorine).

  2. Add compost and stir. Add molasses if desired.

  3. Let steep for 24–48 hours, stirring occasionally (or aerate constantly).

  4. Strain through cheesecloth or a paint strainer before using.

How to Use It

  • Water it in at the root zone for vegetables, flowers, trees, and shrubs

  • Foliar spray (strain well!) to deliver nutrients and microbes to leaves

  • Use fresh—ideally within 6 hours of brewing for best microbial action

A Word of Caution

Don’t use compost tea on leafy greens close to harvest unless it’s made with fully finished, safe compost. And always clean your tools—brewed life can spoil quickly if mishandled.

Final Pour

Compost tea is humble, homemade, and wildly effective. With just a bucket, a bit of compost, and a little time, you can brew fertility that speaks your soil’s language.

Want to take it a step further? Grab our free printable Compost Tea Brewing Guide and pin it up in your greenhouse or kitchen! And if you’re part of the Clemson Tea Farm family, share your compost tea results with us using #ClemsonTeaFarm.

Compost Tea

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compost teasoil healthorganic gardeningclemson tea farmRegenerative Agriculture
Hi, I’m Nanelyn, the heart behind #ClemsonTeaFarm! My journey into tea farming began with a deep appreciation for nature and a desire to create something meaningful—something that not only produces high-quality tea but also nurtures the land. With a background in Nursing, nurturing comes naturally, whether it’s for the body, the soul or the land, I’ve dedicated myself to traditional organic, sustainable, regenerative farming practices that replenishes both people and the environment.

Nanelyn Mitchell

Hi, I’m Nanelyn, the heart behind #ClemsonTeaFarm! My journey into tea farming began with a deep appreciation for nature and a desire to create something meaningful—something that not only produces high-quality tea but also nurtures the land. With a background in Nursing, nurturing comes naturally, whether it’s for the body, the soul or the land, I’ve dedicated myself to traditional organic, sustainable, regenerative farming practices that replenishes both people and the environment.

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