It’s summer and the gardens are thirsty. They love water, of course. But they also love an occassional tall glass of herbal tea. Only, instead of brewing up some campomile or mint, try making tea for your garden by brewing compost. This “compost tea” will boost your soil and fortify your garden. And it’s not nearly as messy as it sounds. We’ll show you how.

Compost “tea” is the garden’s version of a healing tonic. It’s rich, dark, and humming with microbial life. A drink of compost tea can revive tired roots, soothe leaves, and infuse a bit of magic into the soil.

It’s a time-tested method for nourishing soil, feeding plants, and cultivating a resilient, thriving garden. In this guide, we’ll cover what compost tea is, why it’s worth making, and how to brew it at home with an organic cotton filter specially made for brewing small batches of compost.

What Is Compost Tea?

Compost tea is a liquid solution made by steeping compost in water — sort of like brewing a giant herbal tea bag for your plants. As it steeps, beneficial microorganisms (like bacteria, fungi, and protozoa) from the compost migrate into the water, creating a biologically active brew rich in nutrients and life.

You can then pour this liquid directly onto your soil, or spray it on leaves. The idea is to deliver a quick, concentrated dose of beneficial microbes and nutrients that help plants grow strong and resilient.

It’s often called “liquid gold” by gardeners for good reason.

Why Make Compost Tea?

Whether you’re growing tomatoes on a balcony or maintaining a full backyard garden, compost tea offers a range of natural benefits:

Supercharges Soil Health. Compost tea delivers living microbes directly into your soil. These microbes help break down organic matter, unlock nutrients, and create symbiotic relationships with plant roots — similar to the role of probiotics in the human gut.
Boosts Plant Growth Naturally. This isn’t a synthetic fertilizer — it’s nature’s fertilizer. Compost tea provides essential nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus in a gentle, bioavailable form. The result? Lush growth, stronger roots, and more blooms or fruit.
Strengthens Disease Resistance. A diverse population of beneficial microbes can outcompete harmful pathogens in the soil and on plant leaves, reducing disease risk. It’s a natural form of plant protection.
Reduces Waste. If you already compost, turning your compost into tea helps you stretch its value even further. A handful of compost can fertilize gallons of water and multiple garden beds.
Supports Organic and Regenerative Gardening. Compost tea aligns beautifully with organic gardening practices. It promotes soil regeneration, avoids chemical runoff, and contributes to a closed-loop, low-waste system.

How to Make Compost Tea at Home

Compost tea is easy to make with just a few tools, some good compost, and a little time. For smaller, urban gardens, you can make small batches easily using a cotton filter in a large mason jar.

Here’s What You’ll Need

Compost: Finished, mature compost that smells earthy (not sour or rotten)
Water: Chlorine-free water (rainwater, well water, or tap water that’s been left out for 24 hours to dechlorinate)
Container: A 64 oz mason jar works really well for a small batch of the tea. You can make large batches using a bucket and a larger filter if you choose
Cotton filter or bag: A tightly woven organic cotton bag or filter (more on this soon)
Optional: Unsulfured molasses (1/2 tbsp per 64 oz or 1 tbsp per gallon) to feed the microbes
Optional: Air pump or bubbler for aerated compost tea (the advanced method!)

Basic Method: Non-Aerated Compost Tea

Place compost in your filter: Use about 1 part compost to 4 parts water. For a large mason jar, try 1 cup of compost and 4 cups of water to start. Place the compost inside a clean organic cotton filter or bag and tie it off securely.
Fill the container with water: Pour in your chlorine-free water.
Add molasses (optional): This acts as a food source to help microbial populations multiply.
Let it steep: Submerge the compost bag and let it sit for 24–48 hours. Stir occasionally to help oxygenate the water and encourage microbial activity.
Use immediately: Compost tea is most potent right after brewing. Water your soil or use as a leaf spray within a day or two.

Aerated Compost Tea (Advanced)

If you want to take it a step further, use an aquarium pump to bubble air through the brew during steeping. This helps oxygen-loving microbes flourish and can lead to more diverse microbial populations. Just follow the same method but keep the air pump running for 24 hours.

Why Use a Cotton Filter to Steep Compost Tea?

A high-quality organic cotton filter isn’t just for cold brew coffee — it’s the perfect tool for steeping compost tea.

Here’s why:

1. Keeps Solids Out of Sprayers and Soil. Compost is full of fine particles that can clog spray bottles or garden sprayers. A tightly woven cotton filter contains these solids while allowing nutrients and microbes to flow freely into your tea. It also makes cleanup a breeze — just compost the used material and rinse your filter.

2. Reusable and Sustainable. Unlike synthetic mesh bags or single-use cheesecloth, organic cotton filters are reusable, biodegradable (at the end of their life), and completely plastic-free. That’s better for your garden and the planet.

3. Gentle on Microbes. Some materials — especially synthetic ones — can affect microbial populations or release microplastics. Cotton is natural and non-toxic, creating a safe steeping environment that supports the beneficial organisms you’re trying to cultivate.

4. Easy to Wash and Maintain. Simply turn the cotton filter inside out, compost the contents, rinse with warm water, and hang to dry. Done.

How to Use Compost Tea in the Garden

Once your brew is ready, it’s time to feed your plants.

For Soil:

Pour directly at the base of plants using a watering can.
Use once every 1–2 weeks during the growing season.
Especially helpful for seedlings, transplants, and tired garden beds.

For Leaves (Foliar Spray):

Strain again if needed to avoid clogging.
Spray early morning or evening to avoid leaf burn.
Helps with nutrient uptake and disease resistance.

A Living Brew for a Living Garden

Compost tea isn’t magic — it’s biology in action. It brings your soil to life, supports plant health, and helps close the loop on waste. And when brewed with an organic cotton filter, it’s not just effective — it’s also kind to the Earth.

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just getting your hands dirty for the first time, compost tea is one of the easiest ways to take your growing game to the next level.

So grab your compost, fill up your cotton filter, and get steeping — your plants (and soil microbes) will thank you.

Brew Life Into Your Garden with Compost Tea