How to Brew Compost Tea With Vital Garden Supply Inputs: An Educational Guide
Twice a week, I celebrate the life of my plants through what I call “tea time.” Pinkies up, lovers. Compost tea is one of the most reliable ways to curate a balanced diet for your soil—full of nutrients, microorganisms, and organic matter that help create healthy living soil.
When growers say their soil is “alive,” we’re talking about a thriving ecosystem of beneficial microbes, bacteria, and fungi that mimic the richness of outdoor forest floors. One of the easiest ways to visually recognize living soil is through mycelium, a white, fuzzy network that can appear on or below the soil surface. Mycelium is a sign that your soil is cycling nutrients and building structure, often leading to surprise mushroom appearances during humid seasons.
Organic living soil begins with organic practices—and compost teas play a major role.
Why Compost Teas Matter in Organic Gardening
Compost teas introduce millions of living microorganisms into your soil. These microbes help break down organic matter, support nutrient availability, and contribute to long-term soil structure.
You can make your own compost tea using worm castings or purchase high-quality organic compost inputs from companies like Vital Garden Supply, which specializes in OMRI-listed amendments and microbials.
Compost teas can be delivered through:
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Water drench (fastest absorption)
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Soil mixing (for transplants and new beds)
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Dry top-dressing (long-term release with watering cycles)
Each delivery method affects how quickly the soil absorbs and processes the nutrients:
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Water drench: Fast, within 24 hours
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Soil mixture: Medium speed, ideal for transplanting
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Top-dress: Slow release over 2–4 weeks
For growers who want consistent microbial activity, applying compost tea twice a week as part of your watering routine is a simple and reliable method.
Recipe for Brewing Vital Garden Supply Compost Tea
Usage: Plant drench
Active Prep Time: 10 minutes
Brew Time: 1–24 hours
What You Will Need
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5-gallon bucket
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Water
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Vital Garden Supply Compost Tea
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Vital Fish Tea
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Vital Hydrosol Liquid Mycorrhizae
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Measuring cup (tablespoons + ounces)
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Small aerator (fish-tank style works well)
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Cloth sack or fine nylon bag
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Add compost tea to your cloth bag
Measure 1 cup of Vital Compost Tea per 5 gallons of water.
Place the compost tea in your cloth sack and suspend it inside your bucket of water.
2. Turn on the aerator
Place only the end of the air tube inside the water.
Never submerge the aerator motor itself.
Set the aerator to full speed or your preferred setting to maintain steady oxygenation.
3. Brew for 1–24 hours
A minimum of one hour is required, though many growers prefer a full 24-hour brew for maximum microbial activation.
4. Add soluble inputs during the final hour
During the last hour of brewing, add the Hydrosol Liquid Mycorrhizae and Fish Tea into the cloth sack with the compost tea.
This preserves the integrity of the microbes and prevents overstimulation during the early brew.
5. Remove aerator and mix thoroughly
Turn off the aerator and give the mixture a gentle stir to ensure even distribution of nutrients.
6. Apply as a root drench
Pour the tea directly into the soil around the base of your plants as your feed for the day.
7. Aim for 10% runoff
Water until you see slight runoff.
If excess water pools on the floor or soil surface, wipe it up to prevent humidity spikes or conditions that can encourage powdery mildew.
Additional Notes for Gardeners
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Compost tea can be used as a substitute for a regular nutrient feeding twice a week.
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Always use compost tea shortly after brewing; microbial populations peak within hours.
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Store unused inputs in a cool, dry place, following Vital Garden Supply’s instructions for shelf life and handling.
FDA Disclaimer
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.