What are worm castings?
Worm castings, also known as vermicompost, are the rich organic matter that is produced by composting worms as they digest organic material. These castings are essentially worm manure, and they are packed with essential nutrients and beneficial microorganisms that can greatly benefit your garden.
Why are worm castings beneficial for your garden?
Worm castings are a powerhouse of beneficial bacteria, fungi and small single celled microorganisms. Scientific studies have shown that worm castings produce larger. stronger plants, which results in more flowers, fruits and vegetables per plant. Castings do this in several ways. The bacteria play a couple of roles. They help break down nutrients into plant available forms. They also act as a barrier of sorts between destructive plant bacteria and the plant itself. Fungi pull water from throughout the soil and bring it into the plant roots. They also break down some fertilizers in the soil into plant available forms.
Not only are worm castings rich in microorganisms, they also improve soil structure. The organic matter in worm castings helps to improve soil drainage and aeration, making it easier for plant roots to access oxygen and water. This leads to healthier root systems and more vigorous plant growth. Worm castings also contain humus, a stable organic compound that holds onto plant nutrients until they are broken down into usable forms
What worm castings are not.
While worm castings contain a small amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other micronutrients, it is not enough to be considered a complete fertilizer. Their benefits lie in the myriad of other beneficial effects they have on soil. It is often necessary to add additional organic fertilizer along with your worm castings. The amount of fertilizer needed is best determined by a soil test.
How to use worm castings in your garden?
There are several ways to incorporate worm castings into your garden:
1. Incorporate into the top several inches of soil with a turning fork.
2. Mix into potting soil: We consider the most economical ratio to be 20% worm castings added to 80% potting mix. This ratio is what we used in our potting/seeding mixes for 15 years.
3. Brew into a compost tea and spray the extract onto your garden soil or yard. Please look to this post for an in-depth look at compost teas. (add link to additional blog post)
Summary
Using worm castings in your garden offers a range of benefits:
- Increased plant growth and yield: The microorganisms in worm castings promote healthy plant growth and can lead to increased yields.
- Improved soil structure: The organic matter in worm castings improves soil structure, making it easier for plants to access water and nutrients.
- Enhanced disease resistance: The beneficial microorganisms in worm castings help to suppress harmful pathogens, reducing the risk of plant diseases.
- Environmentally friendly: Worm castings are a natural and sustainable option that reduces the need for synthetic chemicals.
Conclusion
Worm castings are a natural and effective way to boost the health and productivity of your garden. With their biologically-rich composition and ability to improve soil structure, worm castings provide a range of benefits for your plants. Whether you choose to mix them into the soil, your potting mix, or make compost tea, incorporating worm castings into your gardening routine can lead to healthier, more vibrant plants. Give your garden the natural advantage it deserves with the power of worm castings!