FREE SHIPPING ON BUNDLES

Shop Now

 

The jury is in! It is well-documented that usingbyproducts of worm farms is by far a healthier way to enrich the soil than just about any other product out there.

Jam-packed with beneficial bacteria, theprocess of worm composting transforms a compost pile into a miracle product. Our little friends, composting worms, naturally produce a much kinder alternative to commercial or artificial fertilizers. But did you know that it is one of the wealthiest organic fertilizers out there too?

What many do not know, however, is that there is a big difference in both cost and time when it comes to choosing worm castings vs. worm compost tea.

Read on for pros and cons on both and find out which is best for what purpose.


Worm Tea vs. Worm Castings?

People often confuse these two organic composts, but let's set the record straight; they are not the same. There are some crucial differences between worm castings and worm casting tea. For starters, worm tea or worm compost tea is an extract of worm castings like Simple Grow.

Worm Casting Tea

Besides its various names, worm tea, worm casting tea, or vermicompost tea are the same. This liquid fertilizer is basically worm castings mixed with distilled water. 

When it comes to producing the tea, there are also different methods. The nutrient composition is vastly different if you are using dried worm castings and not a derivative of the process, resulting in liquid extraction of worm leachate. There are more beneficial microbes in the latter and overall more nutrients.


Worm Compost Tea Methods

Simply brewing the tea may be a great topical additive for your garden and does help with several smaller plants, fruit trees, and seedlings as a liquid fertilizer. The tea can also assist as a herbicide and help deter most crawling insects or spiders from damaging young plants. 

For best results, however, leading gardeners and farmers suggest both.

So, what exactly are Worm Castings, and what is Worm Tea?


Worm Castings

Worm castings are the feces of the worms who live in a worm farm. Or, in other words, worm poop! As with all products, there are several varieties out there. Some commercial suppliers of worm castings will offer a watered-down variety mixed in with other organic compost or vermicompost (this is the compost that the worms live in and feed off).

Vermicompost is richer because there are traces of worm castings in the actual compost. Worm farming involves composting worms living in compost piles where farmers add food scraps as feed. 


Pros

  • More affordable than worm tea
  • Slow-releasing which improves soil composition 
  • Long-lasting and natural fertilizer 
  • Multi-purpose product, great for crops or house plants 
  • Easy to make, just invest in some worm bins and composting worms 
  • Nutrient-dense which is ideal for plant growth
  • Worm farming is a profitable business venture to make extra money 

 

Cons

  • Minimal topical benefits, unlike worm tea 
  • Takes longer to change the soil structure
  • Difficult to work worm castings into the soil 

Worm Compost Tea

Many people think that worm tea is worm pee! Definitely not. Worm tea, as mentioned, is an actual tea made from dried worm castings. Otherwise, it is a fluid extract, worm leachate, which comes out of a liquid drain or tap. 

Worm leachate is more nutrient-dense and packed full of beneficial microorganisms, the preferred product. But it is expensive. However, you only need a few scoops added to water in a spray bottle!

Whether you use worm tea derived from dried castings or organic seepage (worm leachate), both these liquids yield excellent results. Used to enrich the soil by being worked in with a spade or applied topically with a spray bottle or watering can to water plants.

The tea leaves can be mixed into other plant foot mixes and are best if allowed to sit overnight in shredded paper. 

When adequately nourished, plants thrive. Place your indoor plants in a basin of finished tea and let the root system soak up a few handfuls of liquid gold for best results, occasionally stirring in raised beds.

 

Pros

  • All-natural liquid fertilizer, ideal for flowering plants
  • Incredibly nutrient-dense tea making process, especially when added to dechlorinated water
  • Packed full of beneficial microorganisms 
  • No harmful pathogenic microbes
  • Easy to make with a simple tea recipe 
  • Ready-made tea bag available in garden centers 

Cons

  • Worm Leachate is quite pricey 
  • Less effective over the long run
  • Requires frequent use for lasting results 
  • Smells bad 
  • Tricky to clean off of produce

How Do Worm Products Compare to Other Organic Fertilizers?

There is no viable organic fertilizer and herbicide as good as worm tea when it comes to liquid enrichment for your soil. When used in combination with worm castings, your soil gets six times the nutrition per liter than most other organic composts.

Besides their exceptional properties, worm farm byproducts are an environmentally friendly way to recycle and compost, whether at home or supporting commercial farms. Farms are relatively easy to set up and maintain. Plus, you will keep yielding remarkable benefits as long as you keep feeding your worms.


What About a Mixture of Worm Tea and Conventional Composts?

Many gardeners and farmers prefer to buy worm castings and worm tea from suppliers. Although somewhat expensive, compared to traditional composts. Depending on your budget, you may want to substitute some compost with a different organic one or even a non-organic product.

Conclusion

When it comes to nourishing your soil and producing a bountiful harvest, no product compares to the humble worm's. It's not a case of asking 'worm casting vs. worm compost tea,' rather a matter of applying both as needed!

Not only will your gardens be entirely organic, but the taste and flavor of crops enhanced. Crop yields are both in terms of quality, size, and quantity. Other benefits include fewer losses due to vermin, bugs, spiders, and other creepy-crawlies. 

If this is not reason enough to make the change, consider the benefits to the environment and do your part to make the world better. 

Start in your backyard today!




Grow Bigger Plants with Simple Grow

Do you wish your plants would grow bigger? Was your garden less than it should've been last year?

If you're tired of growing puny vegetables and fruits, it's time for an upgrade...Simple Grow Worm Castings!

What are worm castings? Another term for worm manure. Why would you want to use it in your garden, raised beds, and house plants? Because it makes them grow bigger, faster and healthier...with no chemicals!

How do worm castings do this? It's like giving your plants a powerful multivitamin with everything they need to grow. Trace minerals, nutrients, and most importantly...worm castings are chock full of beneficial microbes. Why does that make a difference?

In recent years, we've learned the importance of gut bacteria for humans and know that it impacts so many different parts of our health. The same thing applies with worms. Gut bacteria from the worm's digestive tract gets into the soil from the worm castings and promotes plant health. Plants have a symbiotic relationship with the microbes from the worm's digestive tract. Plants respond to it and grow really big...really fast!

If you've never tried worm castings before, you owe it to yourself to give them a try. Instead of using traditional chemical fertilizers from the big box store, why not try fresh, certified organic worm castings this year? You'll be able to grow bigger, healthier plants that you actually can feel good about eating. 

Take advantage of our special bundle sale on 25lb bags today!

Search

Liquid error (layout/theme line 348): Could not find asset snippets/revy-bundle-script.liquid