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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How to Grow Thymes
The Latin name Thymus vulgaris has been cultivated for centuries for culinary and healing uses. The plant originally came from the Mediterranean area and has been adapted to many different climates around the world. It first set its roots to North America when the first colonists, used this herb primarily as food preservative and for medicine during that time.
Ancient Greeks considered thyme as a symbol of style, elegance and courage, and they used it as an incense to cleanse holy areas. Researchers believed that its common name came from thumus, which means "courage," or from another Greek word thymos, which means to perfume." It has been identified in writings over 3,000 years old. In medicine, Thyme is a potent antiseptic, used in cases of anemia, bronchial ailments and intestinal problems. It is used as an antiseptic against tooth decay, and treats fungal infections like athlete's foot and skin parasites such as crab lice. The herb is effective for colic, flatulence, sore throats and colds; likewise it serves as a digestive aid and a hangover remedy. Infusions of thyme are good for headaches, and found to be beneficial for cough related colds and flu as well as whopping cough, because the ingredients are known to loosen and expel mucous. Thyme infusion is also soothing and healing for skin irritations, muscle spasms and fungal infections. This plant contains a constituent that helps in preventing blood clots.
Furthermore, the vapor from thyme essential oil is used to treat respiratory infection. Though if taken internally, thyme oil is known to be poisonous in amounts of a teaspoon, for it is very strong. For many people, the same amount may be too strong externally as well, so she advises caution to users. Thyme oil or infusion can be added to the bath to aid rheumatism and bronchial difficulties.
Moreover, thyme is a good plant for bees; it provides nutritious pollen that imparts delicious flavor to their honey. The clusters of purple flowers readily attract bees. The dried flowers and leaves of thymes can protect cloth from insects. Burning dried thyme also repels insects. Oil of thyme is diluted and used externally as a deodorizer and antiseptic that can prevent mildew. An ointment made with thyme is good for warts. It is useful to help the new mother expel the afterbirth and that an ointment made of the leaves is useful for treating warts, as well as easing the discomfort of gout, and kills worms internally.
Can you imagine all the benefits that you can get from thyme?
Here are some more:
The plant actions are considered to be disinfectant, antiseptic, anodyne, anti-inflammatory, rubefacient, antitussive, aperitif, carminative, demulcent, depurative, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, fungicide, nervine, pectoral, sedative, stimulant and vermifuge, such a long list of medical terms, and all from a simple herb!
There are no known contraindications up to the present, although some people are very sensitive to the essential oil, so they should have a patch test first to see if they are allergic.
Thyme is often used in bouquet garni, which are small sprigs of fresh herbs tied together and simmered in various dishes. Since it is an herb that helps the body to digest fatty foods, it is often used as an ingredient in pork, beef, lamb, veal and other heavy meat. It is especially tasty with meat, poultry and game. It has strong taste, so you should use it sparingly in most dishes.
It is easy to plant and grow thyme. The plant is a bushy perennial that loves warm, sunny areas and is found throughout Southern Europe, North America and Asia. It commonly grows to 15 inches tall and makes an excellent ground cover. Trim it back after flowering to prevent it from becoming woody and prune more frequently in summer, when it is in its most vigorous growing period. The flowers range from purple to lilac to white. It prefers well-drained slightly alkaline soils. Thyme can be sown from seed or propagated from stem cuttings.
Bring some indoors to grow on a sunny windowsill. Thyme leaves can be dried easily and it freezes well. Just hang the sprigs for seven days and then store in dark colored bottles. Keep the bottles air tight in cool dark storage places.
Ancient Greeks considered thyme as a symbol of style, elegance and courage, and they used it as an incense to cleanse holy areas. Researchers believed that its common name came from thumus, which means "courage," or from another Greek word thymos, which means to perfume." It has been identified in writings over 3,000 years old. In medicine, Thyme is a potent antiseptic, used in cases of anemia, bronchial ailments and intestinal problems. It is used as an antiseptic against tooth decay, and treats fungal infections like athlete's foot and skin parasites such as crab lice. The herb is effective for colic, flatulence, sore throats and colds; likewise it serves as a digestive aid and a hangover remedy. Infusions of thyme are good for headaches, and found to be beneficial for cough related colds and flu as well as whopping cough, because the ingredients are known to loosen and expel mucous. Thyme infusion is also soothing and healing for skin irritations, muscle spasms and fungal infections. This plant contains a constituent that helps in preventing blood clots.
Furthermore, the vapor from thyme essential oil is used to treat respiratory infection. Though if taken internally, thyme oil is known to be poisonous in amounts of a teaspoon, for it is very strong. For many people, the same amount may be too strong externally as well, so she advises caution to users. Thyme oil or infusion can be added to the bath to aid rheumatism and bronchial difficulties.
Moreover, thyme is a good plant for bees; it provides nutritious pollen that imparts delicious flavor to their honey. The clusters of purple flowers readily attract bees. The dried flowers and leaves of thymes can protect cloth from insects. Burning dried thyme also repels insects. Oil of thyme is diluted and used externally as a deodorizer and antiseptic that can prevent mildew. An ointment made with thyme is good for warts. It is useful to help the new mother expel the afterbirth and that an ointment made of the leaves is useful for treating warts, as well as easing the discomfort of gout, and kills worms internally.
Can you imagine all the benefits that you can get from thyme?
Here are some more:
The plant actions are considered to be disinfectant, antiseptic, anodyne, anti-inflammatory, rubefacient, antitussive, aperitif, carminative, demulcent, depurative, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, fungicide, nervine, pectoral, sedative, stimulant and vermifuge, such a long list of medical terms, and all from a simple herb!
There are no known contraindications up to the present, although some people are very sensitive to the essential oil, so they should have a patch test first to see if they are allergic.
Thyme is often used in bouquet garni, which are small sprigs of fresh herbs tied together and simmered in various dishes. Since it is an herb that helps the body to digest fatty foods, it is often used as an ingredient in pork, beef, lamb, veal and other heavy meat. It is especially tasty with meat, poultry and game. It has strong taste, so you should use it sparingly in most dishes.
It is easy to plant and grow thyme. The plant is a bushy perennial that loves warm, sunny areas and is found throughout Southern Europe, North America and Asia. It commonly grows to 15 inches tall and makes an excellent ground cover. Trim it back after flowering to prevent it from becoming woody and prune more frequently in summer, when it is in its most vigorous growing period. The flowers range from purple to lilac to white. It prefers well-drained slightly alkaline soils. Thyme can be sown from seed or propagated from stem cuttings.
Bring some indoors to grow on a sunny windowsill. Thyme leaves can be dried easily and it freezes well. Just hang the sprigs for seven days and then store in dark colored bottles. Keep the bottles air tight in cool dark storage places.
Read more...
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