Do you use worm wee as a fertiliser

[lbt]

Hi

I have a wormery and have read, both, that you can - and that you can't, use worm wee as a general fertiliser.

I am referring to the liquid that I drain off at the bottom of the wormery.

Does anyone have an experience of this?

I have been throwing mine away but I can't help but think it might be a mistake.

Would love to hear what others think on this please.

Thanks

[zazen999]

WHAT!!!

Yes, it's a fab general fertilizer. Put it 1/10 with water in a watering can and get feeding!

Where did you read that it wasn't?

[FionaH]

WHAT!!!

Yes, it's a fab general fertilizer. Put it 1/10 with water in a watering can and get feeding!

Where did you read that it wasn't?

Yep what she said. Liquid gold that stuff!

[lbt]

That's what I thought too!

I read it in George Pilkingtons, Composting with Worms in the Q&A section:

Q: There is a lot of brown liquid in the bottom of my womery. It smells but I have been told I can use it as a liquid feed. What is it?

A: Some people call this liquid 'worm tea' or 'compost tea'. It is the by-product of anaerobic decomposition in your worm bin, and may contain all kinds of harmful substances. It should not be used as plant food .........

Goes on to say that 'a useful liquid feed can be made from vermicompost'. When I look up the relevant chapter it explains how to put some of the compost into a pair of tights etc to suspend into a bucket of water.

[lbt]

On re-reading my message it occurred to me that the liquid that comes out doesn't smell but is just made me wary of poisoning everyone. On reading the book, it appears that the only safe way is to do the tangling sock method but I think I have been missing a trick! I poured a whole bucket load down the drain - I'd been saving it because I couldn't quite bring myself to throw it away - it took months to collect.

[jacob marley]

If ever you find anything better you will let us know it is the best i have ever used...jacob

[Two_Sheds]

'worm tea' ... is the by-product of anaerobic decomposition in your worm bin, and may contain all kinds of harmful substances. It should not be used as plant food ....

That just makes no sense at all....
- Worms are in the soil anyway, and so is their "wee"
- If the solid waste in the wormery is OK, why wouldn't the liquid be? It's all from the same stuff (kitchen waste)
- Peat is a by-product of anaerobic decomposition too, and certainly isn't toxic.

[zazen999]

On re-reading my message it occurred to me that the liquid that comes out doesn't smell but is just made me wary of poisoning everyone. On reading the book, it appears that the only safe way is to do the tangling sock method but I think I have been missing a trick! I poured a whole bucket load down the drain - I'd been saving it because I couldn't quite bring myself to throw it away - it took months to collect.

I have the same book; and just read it when I got into work as I'd left it here.

I read this as only if it smells; but the idea of throwing one bucket away and using the same compost to make more tea is just bizarre.

Isn't that the point of having a bottom tray and a tap?

[selfraising]

I always use the worm tea. Have to say I even used it when it was a bit pongy!! Have come to no harm so far. Great stuff.

[lbt]

Thanks everyone - that's confirmed what I thought before I read the book. I should have gone with my instincts in the first place!

Thanks

[Two_Sheds]

I've emailed the author for clarification ... watch this space

[Alison]

I use it no problems although I think that you do need to be careful if you're having problems with your wormery ie if the wormery is rancid then don't use the wee - common sense really!

[arpoet]

Experts are not always right.. Experts said the titanic was unsinkable.. yea right.

I have used it for years and never have a problem. I wait till i have a gallon , let is mature for a few weeks, and empty it into my water butts and barrels and use it like that.