What are the worm castings?
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. These excreta have been shown to contain reduced levels of contaminants and a higher saturation of nutrients than the organic materials before vermicomposting. Castings are an excellent soil amendment for virtually any plant type or grow system, including: Vegetables, fruits, and herbs. Gardens and raised gardens. Lawns, trees, shrubs, and vines.Are worm castings good for all types of plants? Absolutely! Because worm castings are mild yet nutrient-rich, all types of plants will benefit from a little worm poo lovin’. We use them on flowers, veggies, perrenials, houseplants, fruit trees, cannabis, herbs, for starting seedlings and more.Worms feed on plant debris (dead roots, leaves, grasses, manure) and soil. Their digestive system concentrates the organic and mineral constituents in the food they eat, so their casts are richer in available nutrients than the soil around them. Nitrogen in the casts is readily available to plants.Mix worm castings directly into the soil when planting or transplanting seedlings. Adding a handful of castings to each planting hole provides an immediate nutrient boost.
Can you sprinkle worm castings on top of soil?
Any plants that are already growing strong and are in need of nitrogen can benefit from direct application to the top soil. Simply add roughly 1 square inch of worm castings to the top soil, evenly on all four sides, for every 2-3 inches of plant height. With that being said, unlike chemical fertilizers, worm castings won’t harm your plants regardless of how much you add.Worm castings can be used on nearly all plants—mix into the soil for new plantings, top-dress around the base and root system for existing plants, or blend into potting mixes.Organic fertilizers are already great choices because they release nutrients slowly and improve soil health. Combining them with worm castings can create a balanced and robust feeding regimen for your plants.Every few months you add a handful of worm castings to the base of the plant. Every time it rains, or when you water the plant, a tiny bit of worm castings goes down into the soil, and your plant gets a delivery of organic vitamins and minerals.Using more will increase soil richness. Most plants will grow LIKE WOAH in 100% worm castings.
Can I use worm castings instead of fertilizer?
Castings from composting worms have been recognized as a natural fertilizer that is packed with a lot of nutrients and minerals. Worm castings contain minerals such as concentrated nitrates, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus. Worm castings are best applied 2–3 times per year, typically in early spring, summer, and fall. For potted plants, a light top-dress of 1/2 to 1 inch around the base and root system every 2–3 months is ideal.Worm castings are so rich in nutrients that pretty much every plant can benefit from an application. That includes vegetables, herbs, flowers, and even indoor houseplants. Worm castings will promote healthy growth, improve soil structure, and boost flowering and fruiting.Microbial Health: The microorganisms in both compost and worm castings contribute to soil health, aiding in nutrient cycling and disease suppression. Reduced Chemical Dependency: By incorporating these organic amendments, you can reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, promoting a more sustainable garden.Worm castings can last up to 6 months – and sometimes longer – depending on the method of storage. Keeping them out of UV light (e.Worm castings are toxic to live worms. After all the food scraps in a bin are recycled, the worms will eat their own castings which will poison them. Why should a worm bin be harvested every few months? Harvest your worm bin when it is filled with compost.
How do you make worm castings?
I burry my food scraps in the worm bedding starting in the middle bucket. I simply dig a little hole in the bedding and throw their food in it before covering it up. The worms will quickly travel to the food and start devouring it. The food will start to decompose and eventually be turned into worm castings. Essentially, worm castings are the end product of an earthworm’s journey through decaying leaves, food scraps, and other organic material found in the soil.And you don’t put worms into regular compost as it’s usually too hot. They will move into the compost heap naturally when it’s about ready to use and has cooled down.Every few months you add a handful of worm castings to the base of the plant. Every time it rains, or when you water the plant, a tiny bit of worm castings goes down into the soil, and your plant gets a delivery of organic vitamins and minerals.The basic idea here is that when you shine a bright light over top of your worm-rich material, and start loosening the upper layers, the worms will dive down. You then remove these upper layers gradually over time, and eventually end up with mostly-castings separated out from a heap of mostly-worms.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.
Are worm castings good for tomatoes?
Soil is the most important thing you can do to help your tomatoes thrive. Tomatoes are very hungry feeders. Amend your soil beds with compost (either your own or purchased), dry timed release fertilizer, and the best amendment of all: worm castings. During the fruit development stage, tomato plants require a balanced supply of nutrients to support healthy fruit growth and prevent nutrient deficiencies. Continue using a balanced fertilizer or switch to a slightly higher potassium content formulation, such as a 10-10-20 or 5-10-20 formulation.Potassium (K) Potassium is essential for optimal tomato growth and quality. Potassium nitrate is the recommended source because the nitrate form facilitates easy potassium uptake by the plant.Pick a fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 8-32-16 or 6-24-24 for best results. Instructions for spreading the product will vary with the type of tomato fertilizer you choose. Tomato plants require enough phosphorus supply to ensure a healthy fruit set.Soil is the most important thing you can do to help your tomatoes thrive. Tomatoes are very hungry feeders. Amend your soil beds with compost (either your own or purchased), dry timed release fertilizer, and the best amendment of all: worm castings.
Can you buy worms for compost?
Composting Worms 250g Composting Worms eats half their own body weight in waste a day, so the more worms you have, the more kitchen waste you can compost i. They are despatched by 1st class post and are sold by weight. 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. These excreta have been shown to contain reduced levels of contaminants and a higher saturation of nutrients than the organic materials before vermicomposting.Mix in a sprinkle of vermicompost and grains (ground oatmeal, bread, or even Purina chicken feed) in your worm feed to add additional protein, and beneficial microbes. The additional good bacteria from the vermicompost helps worms break down the waste faster, and eat more quickly.