Worm castings are the dark, rich soil that worms create when they digest the organic material. They are full of nutrients and beneficial bacteria that plants love!
Not only do worm castings make your garden soil healthier, but they also help to improve drainage and water retention.
This makes them a great choice for any type of plant you may have in your yard or in containers on your porch.
If you want to learn more about how worm castings work, read this blog post!
Are Worm Castings Good Fertilizer?
Yes, worm castings are one of the best organic fertilizers there is. They contain beneficial microbes that your soil needs to build the soil biology in order to have a healthy soil.
Worm castings can be used at any stage during the growing season to add microbes and nutrition to your soil.
Can I use worm castings instead of fertilizer?
Worm castings can be a great option to use in place of traditional forms of fertilizer. Worms create this nutrient-rich soil when they digest food and excrete it as waste, making them a great natural fertilizer that will help your plants grow better than ever before.
You get a great fertilizer and you get beneficial microbes to add to your soil.
Are worm castings good for all plants?
Worm castings are worm poop that has been composted, dried and ground up. It’s a great all-around fertilizer because it contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
These three nutrients are what plants need to thrive. Worm casting also releases beneficial bacteria in the soil which help your plants grow faster and stronger by feeding them while creating a soil environment that is healthy and full of beneficial microbes.
Are worm castings high in nitrogen?
Worm castings are not high in nitrogen. Worm castings usually contain around 0.6 in nitrogen whereas most synthetic fertilizers are in the double digits.
They provide a low dose of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
What is the NPK of worm castings?
The NPK of worm castings is 0.6, 0.7, 0.2. Worm castings are have low numbers as do most organic fertilizers which means that you will not burn your plants.
Worm castings will give a low dose of NPK, other trace minerals such as iron, sulfur, calcium and beneficial microbes to your plants.
What is the pH of worm castings?
The pH of worm castings is around 7 which is neutral. Worm castings can be beneficial in helping balance out soil that may be slightly acidic or slightly alkaline.
Do worm castings go bad?
Worm castings do not go bad in the traditional sense of the word as they are a form of compost.
Worm castings even after extended periods of storage will still contain nutrients that will help your garden such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
However, the main difference is that worm castings have beneficial microbes in them that need to be maintained while being stored.
These micro organisms need oxygen, moisture and more to remain in tact.
What are the benefits of using worm castings?
1. Worm castings are a natural fertilizer and can be used to fertilize your garden
2. They have been shown to increase the yield of plants by up to 50%
3. They contain high levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium which is great for plant health
4. The soil in which worm castings are added will also become more fertile over time as they break down into nutrients that feed the soil microbes
5. If you’re not sure where to start with using worm castings on your garden then check out this article from our blog about how easy it is!
6. You can use them in pots or containers too – just make sure you water them well before adding any other composts or fertilizers so they don’t dry out too quickly.
How to use worm castings
There are multiple ways to use worm castings in your garden. The first way to use worm castings in your garden is to mix them into your seed starting mix.
You can make a great seed starting mix by mixing worm castings, compost, coco coir and perlite. This mix will provide your seeds with all the nutrients they need to grow into healthy plants.
The second way worm castings can be used is as a side-dress fertilizer for growing vegetables or annuals. When using worm castings as a side dress you should use about a handful per plant.
How often should I use worm castings?
You can use worm castings as often as you like in your garden. You can top or side-dress plants with it as a little extra boost for your plants. Worm castings can also be brewed into a worm tea to water your garden every 10-14 days.
In Conclusion
Worm castings are a great fertilizer, but they need to be applied in the right way. They can only benefit your garden if you know how and where to apply them. One thing is for sure – worm castings will improve any soil type!
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Updated – May 7, 2022
