If you are interested in gardening but are having a hard time getting started, maybe worm castings are just what you need. There is nothing better than working in the dirt getting nourished with natural organic materials. It is refreshing to know that you are not harming the environment by working in the garden. Worm composting is one of the easiest ways to start an at-home organic garden.
Worm castings offer the necessary nutrients for the soil to help your crops grow healthy and produce more prolifically. Earthworm castings also are especially helpful for individuals with insects feeding on their plants, like aphids, spider mites and even certain types of bugs. These bugs, however, will not be attracted to the earthworm castings if there are no other organisms or animals in the vicinity. The moisture retention ability of the worm castings will help keep these critters away.
Soil that is either too dry or has too much water retention can be difficult to maintain for various reasons. In areas that don’t receive a lot of rainfall, it can be nearly impossible to grow plants that are healthy without additional water. It is important to add moist compost to the soil as soon as possible after you install your garden plot. A little research will help you determine the proper amount of moisture that your plot needs. You may find that the best way to add moisture is to simply move some of the existing soil around.
How Can Soil Benefit From Worm Castings?
Adding worm castings to your garden will help to aerate the soil. Aerating the soil allows it to retain more oxygen. This will allow the plant roots to take up all of the nutrients that it needs. By using a high-quality commercial compost, you can expect to see an improvement in the quality of the plants and in the overall health of your garden. Healthy soil can make your gardening compost more effective by improving its ability to hold the necessary moisture.
There is yet another benefit to making the most of your earthworm castings. It can be used as a natural mulch. When used in this way, the earthworm castings act as a natural fertilizer. In addition to providing an organic source of nutrients that the plants need, mulch helps to protect the structure of your garden. It will prevent weeds from growing through the cracks in the earth and will provide additional protection against insects.
How to Use Castings:
One of the most common questions regarding the use of worm castings in the garden is how to mix the worm castings into the soil. If you are growing plants that are too small for a traditional garden bed, you may have to mix dry castings with your soil. Earthworms love the mulch, which acts like an insulator for the plant roots. Castings can be mixed into the soil as soon as the earthworm castings begin appearing. If the plants are a bit larger than your potting soil, you can add one third of a cup of worm castings per cubic foot of soil.
Earthworm composting is not the only option available for gardeners who wish to make the most of their worm castings. Some people also choose to add manure to their compost, which contains a higher concentration of nutrients than earthworm castings. Although this method does result in a higher nitrogen content, it still offers a high nutrient count. Another option available to gardeners is the use of a worm starter kit. These kits include everything necessary for a worm castings start-up, as well as instructions for making the final compost mixture.
Conclusion:
Earthworm castings can be a beneficial addition to your soil. The worm castings decompose organic matter, making room for new plants to take root. By creating a more fertile environment in your garden, you can give the plants the best possible chance to thrive. When used in conjunction with manure and compost, worm castings can be an excellent way to improve the health of your soil and plants.
Check out Todd’s Seeds YouTube channel for helpful gardening tips!