Compost Tea Dilution Calculator
Created by: Daniel Hayes
Last updated:
Convert compost tea concentrate to application-ready mixes with exact dilution ratios. Calculate water needed, final volume, concentration percentage, and area coverage.
Compost Tea Dilution Calculator
CompostingConvert concentrate into application-ready compost tea mixes
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What is a Compost Tea Dilution Calculator?
A compost tea dilution calculator converts concentrated tea into application-ready mixes by calculating required water additions. It helps you maintain consistent dilution for foliar sprays, soil drenches, and seedling-safe applications.
Standardizing dilution improves repeatability, spray performance, and coverage planning. Instead of estimating by eye, you can set exact ratios and produce predictable final volumes every time.
Compost Tea Dilution Formulas
Water needed: Concentrate Volume × Dilution Ratio
Final mix volume: Concentrate Volume + Water Needed
Tea percentage: (Concentrate ÷ Final Mix) × 100
Common ranges: 5:1 soil drench, 10:1 general, 20:1 sensitive foliar
Example Calculation
If you have 8 gallons of concentrate and select a 10:1 dilution:
- Water needed = 8 × 10 = 80 gallons
- Final mix = 8 + 80 = 88 gallons
- Tea concentration = (8 ÷ 88) × 100 = 9.1%
- At 1 gallon per 100 ft², estimated coverage = 8,800 ft²
Common Applications
- Foliar spray planning: Prepare spray-safe concentrations for leaves.
- Soil drench scaling: Expand concentrate for larger bed areas.
- Seedling programs: Use gentler dilution for sensitive starts.
- Greenhouse routines: Keep weekly application rates consistent.
Tips for Better Dilution Control
- Filter tea before spraying to reduce nozzle clogging.
- Use clean water and calibrated tanks for repeatable results.
- Apply in cooler periods to reduce leaf stress.
- Track ratios and outcomes to optimize your program over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a compost tea dilution ratio?
A dilution ratio defines how much water you add to concentrated compost tea before application. For example, 10:1 means 10 parts water to 1 part tea concentrate. Correct dilution improves coverage and reduces application stress on leaves and roots while maintaining biological benefits.
What dilution should I use for foliar spray?
Foliar applications commonly use about 10:1 to 20:1 water-to-tea, depending on crop sensitivity and spray frequency. Start conservative if you are unsure, then adjust based on plant response and environmental conditions. This calculator provides exact water additions from your concentrate volume.
What dilution should I use for soil drench?
Soil drenches often use stronger mixes than foliar sprays, such as 5:1 to 10:1 water-to-tea. Heavier dilutions may help stretch volume for larger beds, while stronger mixes are used for targeted zones. Application goals and tea quality should guide your final ratio selection.
Can I apply undiluted compost tea?
Some growers apply strong tea directly to soil in small volumes, but dilution is generally safer and provides better distribution. Undiluted applications can be inconsistent, especially in sprayers and sensitive crops. Dilution improves flow characteristics and helps avoid overapplication hotspots.
How do I calculate final diluted volume?
Multiply concentrate volume by water ratio, then add concentrate back in. Example: 5 gallons concentrate at 10:1 needs 50 gallons water, resulting in 55 gallons final mix. This calculator automates those steps and can estimate coverage from your selected application type.
Sources and References
- Extension service recommendations for compost tea application rates.
- Greenhouse and field guidance on foliar and drench dilution practices.
- Applied soil biology resources for microbial tea management.