Sasha CampbellFor many organic gardeners, earthworms and their castings (vermicast) have numerous benefits.
In this article, we will explain how to harvest worm castings at home and share some tips on using them in the garden.
Worm Casting Benefits
Below, you will learn why worm castings are good for plants and lawns.
1. Seed Germination
Earthworms may accelerate seed germination by mixing their excrement (casts) into the soil [1].
Earthworm castings help soil breathe and hold water. This allows seeds to sprout and seedlings to grow well.
2. Lawn Conditioning
Lawns can dry out; without fertilizer and sufficient moisture, the grass will quickly thin out and die.
However, earthworms help make the soil more porous and better at holding moisture. Their water-filled castings play a significant role in this.
The creatures digest organic matter and excrete nutrients into the soil, benefiting your lawn.
3. Organic Fertilizer
Worm castings are an organic fertilizer that benefits plants. Yes, you can use worm poop to make a natural liquid fertilizer or worm-casting tea.
Make worm tea by steeping castings in water and distributing the liquid around the crops.
This remedy encourages microbes and enriches plant roots. It also enhances the size and vigor of indoor, outdoor, and greenhouse plants.
4. Break Down Organic Matter
Earthworms break down the organic matter they eat. They then excrete pure worm castings.
These castings provide the soil with a wealth of nutrients.
5. Help Regulate Soil pH
Vermicast can also help stabilize soil pH. At a neutral pH of 7.0, the castings can help balance acidic or alkaline pH levels.
Extreme pH levels (too acidic or too alkaline) prevent plants from absorbing nutrients from the soil.
6. Soil Aeration and Structure
The granular nature of worm castings allows oxygen into the soil, which is essential for plant development.
Worm casts can also improve the condition of soils containing coarse-grained building materials such as grit, gravel, and sand.
7. Help Maintain Soil Moisture
Worm casts create porous and loose soil, which reduces surface crusting and allows air and moisture to flow in.
It also helps the soil hold onto more water.
Moreover, earthworms can produce casts that weigh as much as ten times their body weight. This process boosts plant and crop hydration.
8. Help Decrease Soil Erosion
Earthworm castings retain moisture and have granular qualities. These features improve drainage and limit damage from soil erosion.
9. Help Lessen Soil Compaction
By forming soil aggregates, castings help prevent compaction and improve soil structure.
10. Plant Growth Hormones
Growth hormones also have vital functions in plant life. The hormone-like effects of earthworm castings significantly influence plant growth and development [2].
11. High in Nutrients
Vermicast provides vital nutrients that help plants and crops thrive. It is exceptionally high in nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, and calcium.
Earthworm casts also give the soil and plants a healthy dose of potassium and sulfur.
Moreover, earthworms help improve soil quality for sustainable gardening. They can break down a lot of organic matter during digestion, which helps them excrete it in a form that plants can easily absorb.
Soils naturally contain microorganisms. However, vermicomposting increases the number of living organisms in the soil.
Vermicomposting also enriches the soil with earthworm humus, which is good for plant roots.
12. Boost Microbiological Activity in Soil
One of the principal benefits of worm composting is the increased microbial activity in the soil.
The nutrients released from the casts assist in the growth of plant life and microorganisms. They also protect against harmful bacteria and diseases.
Worm manure adds nitrogen to the soil. As a result, plants that are usually susceptible to rot and wilt diseases grow stronger and become more resistant.
13. Insect Pest Prevention
Worm castings naturally repel pests, such as whiteflies, that damage plants and crops.
Along with hormones and good bacteria, the tea contains enzymes.
One of these enzymes is chitinase. It degrades the exoskeletons of insect pests by breaking down the essential structural component, chitin.
Without this covering, the insects get dehydrated and die. Therefore, many harmful insects that chew and suck on plants can be eliminated by introducing worm castings into the soil.
How to Vermicompost at Home
To make vermicompost, obtain a suitable container or worm bin. The bin must not be too deep (10 inches is ideal), and drainage holes should be at the bottom.
At the bottom, add a layer of sand and moistened newspaper strips. Next, add dried leaves, compost, and manure, and then top it off with more moist newspaper strips and soil.
It’s now time to add the worms and their food. Throw in some garden scraps and/or kitchen scraps. Now, leave them alone for a few months.
However, not every worm will survive in compost bins. Lumbricus rubellus (red earthworm), Eisenia fetida (red wigglers), and Eisenia hortensis (European nightcrawler) are species suitable for vermicomposting. The good news is that you can purchase them online here and here.
Alternatively, buy commercially produced worm-casting compost if the DIY process is too much.
Harvesting Worm Castings
After a few months have passed, lay out some old newspapers or a plastic sheet and empty the contents of your worm bin.
Next, collect the worms and add them to a new vermicomposting bin. The leftover worm-casting fertilizer can be used on your plants.
Cons
One of the disadvantages of worm castings is that they take a while to prepare for harvest.
Your worms take about three to four months to produce noticeable castings. Harvesting a good amount may also take up to a year.
Another one is the cost. If you buy earthworm casting fertilizer instead of making your own, it may be more expensive than regular fertilizer.
Takeaway
Digging and turning over the soil have long been regular processes for all who love their gardens. Seeing earthworms rise from the soil is a sight to behold and a blessing for your plants and lawn.
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