Question 1

What’s the difference between worm leachate and worm tea?

Accepted Answer

We often refer to the liquid that you get out of your worm composter as worm tea but technically it’s leachate – the run off from making your worm casts. Obviously it will have drained through the casts so it’s a great product but technically it’s a bit different to actual worm tea which is made from suspending the worm casts in highly oxygenated water (like when brewing tea.

Worm tea - The end result of suspending worm castings in highly oxygenated water (brewing).

Every wormery has good and bad microbes. This is ok of course, as long as the good ones outnumber bad. Leachate is made when the excess water seeps down through the worm composter into the collection area. The leachate should be drained regularly and if you are getting more than a few cupfuls a week, the composter is probably too wet!

Not only are you feeding the plant, but you increase the number of beneficial microbes in the soil, thus crowding out the bad. It has been proven that the tea, along with the castings, can significantly increase plant growth, as well as crop yields, in the short term (a season) and especially the long term over a period of seasons

Question 2

Why am I not getting any worm juice?

Accepted Answer

Usually a lack of worm juice is one thing… You are not adding enough waste into your wormery. After all 96% of vegetable waste is water and so if you are adding waste there will be liquid draining. It’s not good to add a glut of waste at once for your worms – they need regular feeding so adding waste every couple of days will work best for your worm and your liquid feed production.

Question 3

Why is my wormery not producing worm tea?

Accepted Answer

Worm composters, also known as worm bins or vermicomposters, produce a liquid known as worm tea or leachate. This liquid is a nutrient-rich byproduct of the composting process that can be used as a fertiliser for plants. If your worm composter is not producing any liquid, there are a few possible reasons:

Insufficient moisture: The worm bin should be kept moist, but not waterlogged. If the bin is too dry, the worms will not be able to break down the organic matter and produce leachate.
Lack of food: The worms will not produce leachate if there is not enough food for them to consume. Make sure you are providing the worms with a steady supply of food scraps. This is the most usual problem.
Not enough worms: Leachate is produced as a by-product of the worms breaking down organic matter. If there are not enough worms in the bin, there may not be enough activity to produce leachate.
The liquid is being absorbed: If the bedding material is not draining well and is too compacted, the liquid will be absorbed by the bedding instead of draining out. Make sure to check the drainage and aeration of your worm bin.
The liquid is evaporating: If the bin is open or not covered properly, the liquid will evaporate before it can be collected. Make sure the bin is properly covered or use a worm composter that has a spigot for easy collection of the liquid.

For more help with your wormery and frequently asked questions pop on over to https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/pages/wormery-faqs. Or if you’re keen to get started or order a wormery please visit https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/collections/worm-composting

Question 4

Can I use my Worm Leachate in the Winter?

Accepted Answer

Worm tea gives a real boost to your potted plants through the winter. Here’s how to use it to keep them happy and healthy:

Give Them a Nutrient Boost: Winter light can be weak, which often slows down plant growth. Worm tea gives them a gentle top-up of nutrients—like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—without pushing them too hard.
Support Soil Health: Your plants’ indoor soil can get compacted and dry out more easily in winter. A monthly dose of diluted worm tea keeps it moist and rich, helping roots absorb all the goodness they need.
Microbes for Immune Support: The beneficial microbes in worm tea are brilliant for building up your plants’ immunity, which helps them fend off winter stress and stay resilient.
Foliar Spray for Leaf Health: Spritzing a diluted worm tea mix (1 part worm tea to 10 parts water) onto the leaves every 3-4 weeks adds a layer of pest and disease protection. It keeps the leaves clean and boosts their health.
Strengthen the Roots: Watering with a bit of worm tea around the roots every few weeks gives them a slow-release, natural nutrient boost right where they need it, helping them grow strong through the winter.
Natural Pest Deterrent: Indoor plants can sometimes attract pesky fungus gnats and other bugs over the winter. Worm tea’s beneficial bacteria and fungi create a healthier soil balance that naturally keeps pests at bay.

What’s the difference between worm leachate and worm tea?

Why am I not getting any worm juice?

Why is my wormery not producing worm tea?

Can I use my Worm Leachate in the Winter?

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