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Last update on August 9 , 2023
receive to your clangoring course of instruction in Worm Castings 101 ! If you ’ve poked around our neck of the woods much , you likely get laid that we ’re mega - devotee of worm molding here at Homestead and Chill . We employ this physique of natural fertilizer extensively in our constitutive garden – include for seedlings , raised vegetable bed , yield trees , perennial , and more . If I had to choose just one , I ’d say earthworm castings are my top - favorite soil amendment !
Read along to learn answers to frequently necessitate questions about worm castings , including what they are , the benefits they offer land and plant , how and when to practice them in the garden , where to get worm casting , and more . If you ’re looking for data on how tostart your very own louse compost binat home , seethis tone - by - step tutorial , followed bythis guideon how to harvest worm castings .
Homemade or store - bought , I know you ’ll want to get your hands on some louse castings after hearing all these poo - tastic facts ! So let ’s apprehend in .
What are worm castings?
In the simplest terms , worm castings areworm after part . But keeping it that legal brief is greatly sell them short , because worm poo is extra - special body waste . As worms digest solid food or other cloth they consume , they break down complex nutrient into more bioavailable forms then ascertain within the casting . When insect castings are added to territory , it provides worthful nutritionto plant as well as enhance the overall soil calibre and structure .
Because of the Brobdingnagian array of spectacular benefits they offer ( described more to follow ) , earthworm castings are often call “ black gold”in the gardening world . You may also hear them referred to as vermicast orvermicastings . The prefix “ vermi ” means worm , so the process ofcompostingwith louse is be intimate as vermicomposting .
Where do worm castings come from?
louse castings used for horticulture either fare fromcommercial compost dirt ball farms , or from apersonal worm binthat is maintained at home – like we do ! All earthworms engender casting , but these specialised compost systems in the main utilize a sure species of worms ( Eisenia fetida , aka“reg wigglers ” ) that have a fast metabolism and larger appetite than common earthworms . This make them a prized choice for vermicompost system of rules . They can really pump out the poo!We get our compost worm fromUncle Jim ’s Worm Farm .
Depending on the sizing and character of insect farm , compost worms are maintain in container , bins , magnanimous bed or windrows . There , the worms are maintained and fed quality food waste product and/or green waste . After they put to work their magic to digest and egest it all , the castings can be harvested and used or sold . teach how to harvest insect castings from a family - scale louse binhere(video included ) .
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What do worm castings look like
To the untrained eye , insect cast look a lot like very rich uniform grunge . Worm poops are petite , oblong , dark brownish to black pane ( almost like chocolate ground , but soft and without sharp sharpness ) . A handful of well - maintained finished castings will be moist but not torpid , exchangeable to the consistency of awrung - out poriferan . When clinch together in your paw , the castings should take shape a clump that holds together but also easily crumple back asunder .
Sometimes there are leftover bits of intellectual nourishment waste , bedding ( e.g. tear up newspaper or dry leave-taking ) , worms , other louse , or debris mixed in the cast . That is whole all right and normal , though it ’s best if the bulk of the cloth is cast when you put on it to the garden .
Why use worm castings? A breakdown of the benefits for plants and soil
So the better question is , whynotuse worm castings ?
Are worm castings good for all types of plants?
Absolutely!Because louse castings are soft yet nutrient - rich , all types of plant will profit from a little worm poo lovin’ . We use them on blossom , veggies , perrenials , houseplants , fruit trees , marihuana , herb , forstarting seedlingsand more .
Are worm castings considered fertilizer?
Yes , insect casting are an constitutional and 100 % lifelike var. of fertiliser … but that ’s not all ! They ’re also a terrific soil amendment . harmonize to theUniversity of California , “ fertilizersimprove the provision of nutrients in the grunge , directly affecting plant emergence ” . This includes both chemical or synthetical fertilizers as well as more eco - friendly derived from natural textile . Related yet different , “ soil amendmentsimprove a soil ’s strong-arm circumstance ( e.g. soilstructure , water percolation ) , indirectly touch plant growth . ”
Do they contain nitrogen?
Studies show that dew worm casting are rich in a variety of crucial nutrient include N , phosphorus , and potassium ( NPK ) as well as iron , calcium , sulfur , and humic Lucy in the sky with diamonds . However , because it can be unmanageable to determine the precise nutrient content of homemade louse cast ( and it varies brand - to - blade ) , we turn over them a supplement to our dirt amendment bit and also utilize other born dull - handout fertilizers such asalfalfa repast , kelp meal , neem seed meal – or something likethis organic all - purpose plant food . And do n’t forget themycorrhizae !
Can worm castings burn seedlings or plants?
Nope!Pure louse castings should not shock or burn seedling or plants like some high-pitched - N fertilizers can . That ’s one of the best things about them : earthworm castings are agentle , obtuse - release plant food , despite the fact that they contain a higher concentration of food than bulk compost . As solid food and other material blow over through the worm ’s digestive system , the casting are coated with a film ofmucusthat in turn slows the crack-up and release of nutrients in the soil . Like other tiresome - sacking fertilizers , you’re able to safely apply a larger mass but less frequently than fast - acting fertilizers .
When to add worm castings to garden soil
There are numerous opportunity to use louse castings in the garden : contribute some to your seedling starting mix , whenfilling a unexampled parent garden bedwith soil , directly in the planting hole whentransplanting seedlingsinto the garden , besprinkle on top of land ( lightly scratched in ) after establish , or around the base of plant plants like a layer ofmulch . We do all of the above !
In addition to using louse molding in their unused natural pattern , consider turning them intocompost tea!If you are n’t conversant with compost tea , it is exactly what it sounds like : a liquid state solution or “ tea ” created by steep compost in water . It ’s a great way to make a small amount of compost go a hatful farther . Once the nutrient in the compost seep into the water , you could feed many works or garden beds with it . We have it away to make actively activate compost teatime ( as opposed to passive steeping ) which also advance the beneficial microbes in the tea . Learn how to brew compost tea here !
How much worm castings do I use?
A modest amount of dirt ball castings can make a big impact ! Yet again , it wo n’t harm anyone to supply a lilliputian special either , so do n’t fray too much about exact measurements . We generally eyeball the following :
Which worm castings are best? Where can I buy them?
I have to hold , I have a soft position for ourhomemade worm cast . They ca n’t get any fresher ! Plus , we know the exact inputs to our scheme include the bedding and what the worms are feast . Since it ’s all alimental - dense and organic , the castings will ruminate that in their quality .
However , I realize not everyone has the power or clock time to keep their own worm compost bin at home . estimable affair there are plenty of other suitable pick out there!Wiggle Wormis a great reputable company that sell pure louse cast online and in stores . They have stellar reviews for freshness , quality , and felicitous flora ! Their insect farm is turn up in Wisconsin .
Last but not least , check around to see if you bump to have a local insect farm near you . We were rosy enough to live a short drive from one for many class . It make believe for a playfulness family outing to go pick up castings or worms .
Cheers to Black Gold!
Well , if you came to this C. W. Post because you were curious about earthworm castings , I hope you ’re leaving EXCITED about them – and with all of your questions answered ! Please set down a remark below if there is something I did n’t get over . All in all , whether you make your own or buy worm casting , your flora and ground will thank you with bountiful growth in return . If you found the information in this article to be utilitarian , please circularize the worm poo erotic love by trap and sharing this post !
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