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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