How To Use Worm Castings For A Healthy Garden?

It’s true, passion and dedication come together when it comes to gardening. However, to make it greener, you need help with simple techniques. Maintaining a fertile soil is one of the secrets.

One of the methods that I use to feed my plants is worm castings. Besides the fact that they don’t smell and organic, they are very useful. Do you know how to use worm castings? Don’t worry, I’ll tell you about how it works its magic.

Are you dreaming of a productive garden that supplies abundant vegetables? I can help you not just with that, but for your flowering plants too. This tutorial is short and straightforward, but it sure does wonders for your garden.

What Are Worm Castings And How Are They Of Good Use To Our Garden

Honestly, the thought of worms makes me shiver. As much as I control myself, I am not just getting used to it. Good thing that worm castings are only worm manure.

Surprisingly, when it comes to poop, they don’t emit the familiar disgusting smell in your yard. Worm castings are nontoxic when exposed to our family and pets. You can choose the type of worms that are fed green waste since they produce finely textured droppings that are quickly absorbed by the roots.


The Advantages Of Worm Castings


  • They are far more than conventional fertilizer. They have elements, humic acid, minerals and growth hormones that are crucial to sustaining maximum plant development.
  • Worm castings have a high level of friendly bacteria and microbes.
  • It acts as an additional protection against pests and plant diseases.
  • It neutralizes the soil resulting in an increase of nitrogen beneficial to the plants.
  • And worm castings can enhance water retention of the soil.

How To Use Worm Castings?

Worm castings are very efficient. Make the use of it a part of your gardening schedule. Be creative and later you will find your own way of using them.

1

Seed Starter

It is best to use worm castings when you are starting to grow seeds. They act as a protection to your yet thriving seedlings and give them a higher probability of surviving.

How to:

  1. Add a portion of worm castings to your starter mix. If this is your first time, an ideal ratio is 1/3 worm castings, 1/3 coir, and 1/3 vermiculite. This is enough to power-up the growth of your seedlings.
  2. Put your mixture to your designated containers. I prefer those cute little plastic cups since they are easy to fill in.
  3. Plants your seeds right away.

2

Morning Tea


It’s funny, but plants also have their own morning tea. Yes, worm castings are an excellent source of tea. How to prepare the tea? Let’s have the tea bag process.

Prepare a cheesecloth, or if you don’t have any, a mere old shirt will do. It’s going to work as the largest tea bag ever.

How to:

  1. Prepare a container full of water.
  2. Place worm castings as many as you can inside the tea bag shirt.
  3. Put the tea bag inside the container of water.
  4. Ensure that the bag can hold the castings inside and will not spill. Let it soak overnight.
  5. Early in the morning, you can water your plants using the tea.

3

Soil Conditioner

I just knew that soil needs conditioner too! Warm castings can do its magic and turn a hard soil into soft and healthy garden soil. Here’s how to make it.

How to:

  1. Merely put worm castings on top of the dry soil, a layer enough to cover the area. Make it as thick as you can to gain a favorable result.
  2. Water the covered soil to prepare it for plantation.

4

Liquid Fertilizer


Liquid fertilizer is more simple to make than the tea.

How to:

  1. Just mix worm castings with water preferably a ratio of 1 cup to a gallon of water.
  2. Let it stand for a week or so.
  3. Use it to fertilize your garden or as an insect repellant.

5

Sprinkling On Top

The easiest method for me so far. I love to do this since it’s quick and fun. I can apply this to all plants around whether in a pot or in a garden using my hands or a spreader.

How to:

  1. Simply sprinkle around an inch of the worm castings on the top of the soil nearest to your seedling or plants.
  2. Spread it evenly around the stem part of the plant. If you want to make sure, you can go for two to three inches thick.
  3. Water the plants enough to soak the castings you just spread near it.

6

Use At The Base Of The Plant

This method is effective when you have a sandy soil mixture since it does not harbor enough nutrients for the plants to absorb. Doing this can also be beneficial during flowering or fruiting season.

How to:

  1. Gradually dig into the soil to reach the base of the plant by making a narrow groove around. Make sure not to damage the soil in doing so.
  2. Place the worm castings inside the furrow and slightly cover it with soil after.
  3. Water the plant.

7

Soil Preparation

To make work easier, some tend to prepare the soil ahead for the next season. Worm castings are excellent in turning the soil into the rich kind ideal for plantation. Although this choice needs plenty of worm castings, it is worth considering the benefits that they can reap from it.

The method calls for the use of abundant worm castings to be spread widely and evenly to the whole plantation area. Usually, a dry spreader is used to do the job, depending on the size of the area. An ideal amount would be two to three inches of worm castings gathered like plowing the land.

CONCLUSION

Apparently, I prefer worm castings than any other fertilizer. Besides, it has plenty of use and is friendly to the environment. Have you learned how to worm castings in so many ways?

I bet, you can come up with a new method on how to make it beneficial in your gardening. I sure can’t get enough with this worm poop thing. Do you have more questions regarding this matter?

Just drop a message. It would be fun sharing ideas with you!

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