Comments on: Does Non-Aerated Castings Tea Always Stink?

By: Bentley

Bentley — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 15:49:48 +0000

KATE – Glad your approach is working for you. Just goes to show that keeping things simple is often a great strategy.
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MONIQUE – There is no definitive answer to that. It really depends on A) how mature the system is, B) how well managed the system is – and various other factors. Generally speaking, if it is a mature, well managed system the leachate should offer some benefits for your plants. If, on the other hand you are just collecting run-off from rotting anaerobic food wastes (in a new, poorly managed system, for example) you may do more harm than good. To be on the safe side, diluting with aged tap water or rain water is never a bad idea.

By: Monique Belton

Monique Belton — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 17:23:49 +0000

Is the runoff from the worm bin good for my plants? Should I dilute the runoff?

By: Kate

Kate — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 20:23:57 +0000

Oh, I forgot to add that my worm tea usually smell like the castings. Smells more if I just use the run off from the worm bin that may have been sitting there for awhile. Whereas, if I run water through the bin or add castings to water, it doesn’t smell bad at all.

By: Kate

Kate — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 13:24:37 +0000

I don’t worry about any of that. I just throw some worm castings in a bucket mix in some water and put it on my plants. Even though we have chloramine treated water, I still get fantastic results in my garden. Hope to be able to set up a rainwater collection system soon, but for now. I’m getting older (65) and do what I can with some sporadic help from my hubby. BTW, I live in northeast piney woods area of Texas. I use modified huglekulture and compost in place method. Due to some arthritis, I garden in large containers that I start by putting kitchen and garden scraps in then wood chips then a quality soil. Once plants are up and growing, I mulch with either leaves of wood chips (whatever I have). Then I water weekly with the worm tea. So far this has worked really well. I produce enough for the two of us, plus neighbors, plus giving some to the local food bank. Additionally, I have plenty of worms for fishing. BTW, I have red wrigglers and super reds in one bin, and african nightcrawlers in another. Happy gardening ya’ll.