Earthworm castings are an excellent all-natural plant food that comes to you directly from Mother Nature in its purest form. For millions of years, the incredible earthworm has been one of nature's greatest producers of readily available plant food. When used in greater, concentration than found in nature, this non-burning, long-lasting organic nitrogen fertilizer can provide remarkable benefits. It makes plant growth vigorous. Root system becomes fibrous. It also improves aeration of soil and most important of all, it promotes plant resistance to disease.
In it's laboratory analysis, the earthworm castings contain 1% total Nitrogen (N), 0.1% Water Soluble Nitrogen, 0.9% Water Insoluble Nitrogen, 1% Calcium (Ca) and 0.2% Iron (Fe).
Now, earthworm castings are being used by more and more farmers, ornamental plant growers, landscapers, gardeners and hobbyists and plant collectors.
Here are 9 ways on how to use the earthworm castings or vermicast:
1. Vegetables and flowers: Line bottom and sides of plant holes and seed furrows with 3-5 cm. of earthworm castings. Set seeds or plants in place and cover with soil. Side dress during growing seasons at a rate of 1/2 cup per plant or 1 cup per 30 cm. of row once every 2 months.
2. Potted plants and seeds or seed flats' new potting mix: Use 1 part earthworm castings to 3 parts garden soil.
3. Orchards and plantations: Work 10 kilos of earthworm castings into soil to a depth of 30 cm. below the surface around the inside of the canopy for each mature fruit-bearing tree. Cover the castings with topsoil. Apply 4 times a year. For young fruit-bearing trees, work 5 kilos of earthworm castings into soil 20 cm. below the surface around the inside diameter of the canopy of each young tree. Cover with topsoil. Apply 4-6 times a year.
4. Potted plants, window boxes or hanging baskets: F o r established plants, add 3-5 cm. of earthworm castings to top of soil. Mix in, taking care not to damage shallow roots,. Repeat every 2-3 months.
5. Roses, trees, shrubs: For new or freshly transplanted ones, mix 1 part earthworm castings to 3 parts soil. Surround newly dug hole with mixture. Spread roots over a mound of the mix in the hole and cover.
6. Roses: For established roses, mix 4 cups of earthworm castings into soil 3-5 cm. below the surface for each plant.
7. Lawns: For new lawns, apply 5 kg. per 10 sq.m. Work lightly into the topsoil. Mix in grass seed and water well. For established lawns, distribute as top dress 5 kg. per 10 sq.m.
8. Casting tea: Soak 1 part castings in 3 parts water for 1225 hours. Stir well and water as usual. Casting tea is excellent for fruiting, flowering or difficult to access potted plants.
9. Compost Piles: Spread a thin laver of earthworm castings between each new layer of material to be composted.
Documented scientific experiments showed that castings contain five times the available nitrogen, seven times the available potash and one and a half times more calcium than that found in 1.5 cm. of good top soil. Therefore, castings are supplied with available nutrients.
The nutrients are almost water-soluble and immediately available to plant life. You will find that most potting soils have nutrient life of two to five days, where worm castings last up to six times as long as other types of potting soils. You will need five times as much potting soil to do the same job as the worm castings. So, in the long run, warm castings are much cheaper and do a much better job. Also, castings hold two to three times their weight in water. That means you water less and the pot will stay damp for a longer period.
Worm castings will not burn your plants; unlike using any fresh raw manure (cow, horse, etc.) which can burn root systems if it's not applied properly.
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Tips in Installing Water Feature in the Garden
Water features in the garden bring good health, peace of mind and good luck. It may be a small fountain, manmade waterfalls with a running brook or a small pond.
We all know that water has oxygen that purifies and cleanses the air we breathe. It also cools down the surroundings. Water has negative ions that balance with the positive, thus making the air breathable.
The sound of running or gurgling water against rocks and pebbles soothe tired minds and the sight of ripples or cascades relax the eyes. Altogether, it soothes the nerves.
Not too many know that a water feature in the garden (or even indoors) can bring good luck. According to a feng shui expert, Yang water can bring prosperity. It is water that has life. For it to be able to invite good health and luck at home, water should be running, not still or stagnant. Living water must have fishes and/or plants that suggest growth luck, she added.
In her study and training of feng shui, one feng shui master learned that water should flow inwards, not outwards. Fountains and waterfalls filled with clean, well-filtered water bring money-making opportunities and business luck.
A six-tiered waterfall is one of the most powerful among wealth enhancers in the garden and home, especially when correctly placed. The six-layered waterfall should be placed in the southwest indoors direction to invite positive energies. The southwest, according to a famous geomancer, is described as the place of indirect spirits or elements and water in this sector of the room or garden will harness a lot of wealth luck. Try to make sure, though, that the waterfalls' size (width and height) is in balance or proportionate to the garden or room and does not overwhelm it.
Here are more tips to serve as guidelines on having or installing a water feature:
• Locate the water feature in the front half of the garden where it could be seen from the main door. If placed behind the house, it goes contrary to feng shui principles.
• Place the water feature on the left side of the door (from inside looking out). If it is on the right side, the man of the house has the tendency to be unfaithful to his wife.
• The north, southeast and east are the best sectors for water facilities to be in, but if those directions are behind the house, it is better not to have the water feature at all.
• Round or carved water shapes — if it is angular, the pointed corners might hit the door or any part of the house and may become "killing" points.
• If you have a fish pond, make a shape that "embraces" the house, not cut into it.
• Keep the water always clean and moving to invite good luck. Stagnant water makes life stagnant as well.
• Carps, koi, goldfish and arauana are fishes of good luck. If your fish dies, replace it immediately. This means the fish absorbed your bad luck.
• Like your indoor water features, be sure that the ones outside are proportionate to the size of your garden.
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