The value of vermicompost for Compost Tea is that it is damp and full of life. Depending upon how damp the sample of compost is it could maybe double in price for the same volume. A logical way to purchase fresh vermicompost direct person to person would be to use gallon milk jugs with the top cut off and the handle still on or even half gallon paper milk cartons. This will allow oxygen to get to the still living weebeasties. Volume instead of weight might be a more standard measure for vermicompost since water can be added or dried out vermicompost not as valuable for some uses.

Thanks, equinoxequinox. That makes a lot of sense. I've been looking through the forums, and I see lots of references to how much water is used (5 to 50 gallons, depending on the person), but I have yet to find a ratio of compost to water. For a five-gallon bucket, how much still-damp compost would you use? Alternately, how much tea would a half-gallon milk carton of compost make?

Does anyone have any basic ratios?

Thanks!

From what I remember reading, think of a cup of tea, water to tea bag ratio and scale up. So a knee-hi nylon socks worth. Also I would use non city thus non cholorine water. If a goldfish will not live in it straight away then no reason microbes should. Or airate it for a day first. I have not made the tea. This is just what I have read mixed with my opinion.

The standard ratio is one part compost to 5 parts water. That equates to one lb of compost to 5 gallons of water.

I suggest you weigh out a pound and see how many cups it gives you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sierra Worm Compost

What a great website! Thanks for the good suggestion and link :-)