Worm Castings Guide - Soil’s Favorite Food
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This blog will do a deep dive on worm castings, nature’s most potent fertilizer.
We’ll detail the benefits of worm castings to your plants and soil and cover how to make, harvest, and apply worm castings. We’ll also provide links to academic research and talk about how to judge the quality of worm castings.
Finally, for those of you hoping to purchase worm castings, whether in bulk or in smaller quantities, we’ll provide several ways to do that.
What Are Worm Castings?
Worm castings are, in the most straightforward sense, worm poop. Also called vermicast in some circles, the term worm castings is understandably – but kind of incorrectly – used interchangeably with the term vermicompost.
Worm castings make up the “poop” fraction of vermicompost, a veritable poo-pourri of microbes, undigested organic matter, and yes, worm castings.
How Worm Castings Made?
Worm castings are produced through the process of vermicomposting, the consumption and decomposition of organic waste via earthworms and microbes, producing a humus rich in organic matter, microorganisms, and worm castings!
What Are the Benefits of Worm Castings in Plants and Soil?
- Worm castings have seemingly magical benefits to both plants and soil.
- But not all worm castings are created equal.
- Differences in feedstock, maintenance of proper climactic conditions, and proper storage and handling practices can all greatly affect the benefits – or lack thereof – that worm castings can provide.
- Soil Benefits of Worm Castings
- Increased Organic Matter
- Faster Germination
- Quicker Seedling Growth
- Stronger Root Growth
- Improved Pathogen Suppression
- Improved Pest Suppression
- Higher Yield
- Better Pollination
Whatever your interest in worm castings, whether it’s to consume or produce, we wish you the best of luck!