What are worm castings good for?
Worm Castings are particularly beneficial for garden foods and flowers once they are in their vegetative state. Since worm castings are an excellent source of nitrogen, they will help your veggies grow stronger, taller, and greener. The good news is that worm castings have a long shelf life and can be stored for extended periods without losing their potency. They can last for up to a year if stored in a dry and cool place. But keep in mind that the longer you store them, the less effective they become.Also known as vermicompost, it is perfect for supplementing your garden soil and plants. Castings from composting worms have been recognized as a natural fertilizer that is packed with a lot of nutrients and minerals.Usually, worms dying in vermicompost systems can be traced back to one of a few problems: incorrect moisture levels, problematic temperatures, lack of air circulation, and too much or too little food. Keeping a worm farm means constantly checking it for these key items.The worm castings are ready to be removed when the contents look like a fine, dark compost at the bottom of your bin. There shouldn’t be many worms left in this layer. Spread the worm castings over your garden beds and then mix them through the soil.Worm castings last up to six months or more when properly stored. Bagged castings sold at retail garden centers typically come in a resealable bag. The bag helps to maintain the moisture of the castings, which in turn keeps the microorganisms contained within it alive and active.
What are the disadvantages of worm castings?
Worm Castings are 100% organic matter. This means that they don’t contain any soil, which can be problematic if you are trying to grow plants in them. In order for plants to thrive, they need a soil that contains not just organic matter but also sand or perlite for drainage and dirt or peat moss for structure. Vermicomposting uses worms to decompose waste and make nutrient-rich worm manure. Vermicast (also called worm castings, worm humus, worm poop, worm manure, or worm faeces) is the end-product of the breakdown of organic matter by earthworms.Worm Castings contain a highly active biological mixture of bacteria, enzymes, remnants of plant matter and animal manure, as well as earthworm cocoons (while damp). The castings are rich in water-soluble plant nutrients, and contain more than 50% more humus than what is normally found in topsoil.Differences Between Worm Castings and Manure The worm castings are more nutrient-rich and have higher organic matter levels. It is more cost-effective to use worm compost as a fertilizer than manure. Worm composting provides more crop yield when applied to the plants as it has more soluble nutrients.
Is worm casting better than fertilizer?
Unlike regular compost, worm castings contain highly concentrated nutrients, beneficial microbes, and natural plant growth stimulators that make soil more fertile and plants healthier. Worm castings are so much more than fertilizer. All plants including bushes, flowers, and trees can benefit from worm castings. If you’re a succulent or cactus lover, use worm castings sparingly – these types of plants generally grow slowly, and they uptake nutrients in the same way.Yes, worm castings can help any plant, tree, shrub, or grass grow. The biology, minerals and nutrients, and composition in castings will improve soil structure and provide the building blocks plants and their root systems need to thrive.Top Dressing One of the easiest ways to use worm castings is to sprinkle them directly onto the soil around your plants. Just add a thin layer (about 1/2 inch) around the base of your plants. As you water, the nutrients will slowly work into the soil, feeding your plants over time.
Can too much worm castings harm plants?
These microbes break down nutrients in the soil, making it easier for plants to soak them up. Plus, worm castings are pH-neutral, so no worries about harming your plants by using too much. Earthworms commonly decrease plant productivity and microbial and plant diversity, and also can significantly shape plant community composition. In the understory, earthworms negatively affect native species, and high deer browse pressure exacerbates this effect.Additionally, earthworms consume many of the same pests that attack gardens, such as bacteria and fungi. Of course, there are also some downsides to having earthworms in the garden. Earthworms can also cause problems in the garden. Their burrowing can damage plant roots and make it difficult for plants to grow.
What plants benefit from earthworm castings?
Research conducted over several years at The Ohio State University Soil Ecology Laboratory found that worm castings enhance seed germination, plant growth, flowering and fruit production. Those are pluses, whether you’re growing flowers or vegetable gardens. Top Dressing One of the easiest ways to use worm castings is to sprinkle them directly onto the soil around your plants. Just add a thin layer (about 1/2 inch) around the base of your plants. As you water, the nutrients will slowly work into the soil, feeding your plants over time.