Can You Create a Compost Tea Using Tumbler Waste?

Creating Compost Tea from Tumbler Waste

Compost tea is a liquid solution made by steeping compost in water, providing a rich source of beneficial microbes for plants. To make compost tea from tumbler waste, start by collecting finished compost from your tumbler. The ideal finished compost is dark, crumbly, and has an earthy aroma. For a 5-gallon bucket of compost tea, you’ll need about 1-2 cups of finished compost and 5 gallons of water.

Steeping the Compost

Steeping the compost in water is the next step. You can use a brewer or a simple bucket with a lid to steep the compost. For a 5-gallon batch, steep the compost for 24 hours in the water. You can speed up the process by using aeration or aeration stones, which will increase the oxygen levels in the liquid, allowing the microbes to multiply faster. The ideal steeping temperature is between 68-72°F (20-22°C) for optimal microbial growth.

Using the Compost Tea

After steeping, strain the liquid through a cheesecloth or a fine-mesh filter to remove any solids. Dilute the compost tea with water according to the recommended ratio, usually 1-5% compost tea to water. You can use this solution as a foliar spray, soil drench, or irrigation water to provide beneficial microbes to your plants.