FAQ: Home Gardeners

What is Microtek Organics fertiliser actually made from?

Our range is built around liquid worm castings — produced through vermiculture at our property in Moppa, in South Australia's Barossa Valley. The worms convert organic inputs into nutrient- and microbe-rich castings, from which we extract the liquid that goes into every bottle. Nothing synthetic is added.

How is this different from a synthetic, bag-of-chemical fertiliser?

Synthetic fertilisers feed the plant directly but do little for the soil itself. Our products feed the soil biology — bacteria, fungi and microbes — which in turn feeds the plant continuously and helps rebuild soil structure over time, including soil damaged by previous chemical use.

Is it safe to use on vegetables and herbs I'm going to eat?

Yes, suitable for edible gardens throughout the full life of the plant. As with any fertiliser, wash all edible produce thoroughly before eating.

Is it safe around pets and kids?

Yes, it is recommended to keep it out of reach of children and avoid ingestion — it may irritate skin and eyes, so wash your hands after use. Once diluted and applied as directed it's a normal part of a home garden routine, but store the concentrate safely.

Can I use it on natives, succulents and indoor plants, or just vegies?

Suitable for all plants and crops across their full life cycle — vegetables, ornamentals, natives, succulents, indoor plants and lawns. Always follow the dilution rate for the specific plant type on the label.

How often should I apply it?

Typically every 1–3 weeks during active growing, with more frequent light applications for new plantings or lawns. Check the rate table on your product's page, or see our Application Rate Guides.

What's the right dilution rate for home garden use?

Varies by product — as a guide, Plant & Soil Food is used at roughly 20–35mL per litre (foliar, vegies, citrus, lawns, new lawns), and Amino Mate at 5–20mL per litre for home garden use. Always check the specific product label.

Does it matter if my tap water has chlorine in it?

Mains tap water is fine. If you're concerned about chlorine affecting the microbial component, letting water stand a few hours (24 - 48 hours is ideal) before mixing is a reasonable precaution, but not a strict requirement.

Once mixed with water, how long does it stay good for?

Use within 24 hours of mixing. Shake the concentrate well before diluting, and don't store made-up mix for later use.

Can I use it alongside other fertilisers, pesticides or fungicides?

Our products combine easily with most herbicides, pesticides, copper and sulfur sprays. If tank-mixing, test a small batch first and check the other product's label.

Will I burn my plants if I use too much?

No, always follow the label rate — over-applying any concentrated liquid fertiliser can stress plants. If in doubt, apply more often at the correct dilution rather than a stronger mix less often.

Can I add it to my compost heap?

Yes — diluted product can be used to moisten and activate a compost heap, introducing beneficial microbes that speed up breakdown.

I already make my own worm wee/worm tea — how is this different?

Homemade worm tea varies with your worm farm, feed and brewing method. Our products come from a controlled vermiculture process with consistent feeding regimes developed over 15+ years, so microbial population and nutrient content are tested and consistent bottle to bottle.

How soon will I see results?

Visible results (colour, vigour, flowering) often show within a few weeks, while deeper soil-health benefits — structure, water-holding capacity, microbial diversity — build over a full growing season or longer.

Can I use it on my lawn?

Yes. New lawns generally need a more frequent, lighter schedule (roughly every 6–10 days) while established lawns can move to every 2–3 weeks — check the specific product's lawn rate.

What's the best time of day to apply it?

Early morning or late afternoon, avoiding the heat of the day, to reduce evaporation and leaf stress — particularly important for foliar applications.

Can I still use it if I'm on water restrictions?

Yes — it fits within a normal watering routine, and helps build the soil's water-holding capacity over time, which is useful during drier periods.

Does it smell?

Liquid worm-based fertilisers have a mild, natural earthy odour that fades quickly after application.

How should I store it?

Store in a cool spot out of direct sunlight, and don't let it run off into drains, streams or waterways.

What size should I buy for a small home garden?

Our home gardening range starts from small 1L sizes up to larger refill bottles — see current sizes and pricing on each product page, or ask your local stockist.

Is it certified organic?

Yes, Microtek Organics products carry a certified organic / allowed-input certification through Southern Cross Certified.

Can I use it in pots, raised beds or a small hydroponic setup?

Yes — for hydroponics, follow the specific dilution rate for that system rather than the general garden rate.

Will it attract pests like flies to my garden?

No — once diluted and applied as directed it behaves like any other liquid soil/foliar feed. Avoid pooling or over-application.

Do I need special equipment, or can I just use a watering can?

A watering can or basic pump/trigger sprayer is all you need for home garden use.