Vermacomposting

You will find all kinds of useful information on this page - including:
An Introduction to Vermacomposting, Why to use Worm Castings and
a 'How-To'on using castings in your household plants and gardens.

 

Vermicomposting Introduction

Vermicomposting is composting with special worms. The Worms are called Eisenia Fetida or Red Wrigglers. Even though worms have 5 hearts, they are cold blooded creatures and are most active between 60 - 80 degrees. They become sluggish and eat less when the temperature moves out of this range.

When Worm Castings and Vermicompost are added to the soil, they carry many important things to the root zone. Items such as growth enhancing compounds, a rich compliment of soluble plant nutrients, a diverse & populous consortium of microbial life and a substrate of organic matter harboring a storehouse of nutrients that are not lost to rain and irrigation. The plant is delivered an ongoing, reliable food source when bacteria and microscopic fungi feed on the organic matter thus releasing some of the nutrients to the soil and storing others for their own energy and reproduction. In turn, when nematodes and protozoa feed upon them, the nutrients stored in the bacterial and fungal bodies are released to the soil in a plant available form. According to Dr. Elaine Ingham, when soil compost or castings support protozoa numbers in the order of 20,000 per gram of solid matter, 400 pounds of nitrogen per acre are released through their predation of bacteria. When we feed organic matter to the soil, the soil life feeds nutrients to the plants.

When we add castings, vermicompost or compost and the rich consortium of microbial life they support to the soil, we aid in increasing the complexity and diversity of organisms in the root zone, thus aiding in disease and pest suppression.

We keep our worms in worm bins we made out of old fencing. Our bedding consists of cardboard, newspaper, grass, leaves, and other things you would put into a compost bin. We feed them fruit and vegetable scraps, table scraps (no meat or dairy), egg shells(crushed), coffee grounds with (or without) filter, and tea bags. The worms consume this and I mean all of it and turn it into worm castings (Worm Poo) which you add to your garden or house plants.

 

Why use Worm Castings ?

Nutrient Rich:
- Rich natural soil enhancer.
- Organic source of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
- Slow release of nutrients will feed plants for 6 weeks or more and it will not burn them.
- Consists primarily of natural humic acid (a proven plant growth stimulant).
- Digestion of enzyme rich humus/feed by worms assimilates nutrients into readily available form for optimum plant uptake.

Chemical Free:
- Non-burning / non-toxic. Application is safe for all plants when used in their natural form.

Odorless:
- Use indoors or outside
- When done properly, it doesn't attract flies or bugs.

Moisture Control:
- Excellent water retention. Can absorb up to 10 times their own weight in water. Granular texture, excellent drainage and soil porosity characteristics.

Natural Plant Disease and Insect Resistance:
- When fertilized with worm castings, research has proven that every plant tested had absorbed the chitinase enzymes found naturally in the castings, allowing the plant to develop a natural insect and disease resistance.

 

How to use Worm Castings

Vegetables and Annual Flowers:
Line the bottom and sides of the plant holes and seed furrows with 1/2 - 1 inch of worm castings. Set seed/plants in place and cover with soil. Side-dress the plants during the growing season at a rate of 1/2 - 1 inch of worm castings. Set seed/plants in place and cover with soil. Side dress plants during the growing season at a rate of 1/2 cup per foot of row every 2 months.

Perennials:
Work a 1/2 cup of worm castings into the soil above the root zone taking care not to damage the shallow root. Apply in Spring, Summer, and Fall.

Re-Potting Plants. Seeds, and Seed Flats:
Use 1 part worm castings to 4 parts potting soil mix.

Hanging Baskets (Established):
Add 1-2 inches of worm castings to the top of the soil. Mix in, taking care not to damage the shallow roots. Water well and repeat every 2-3 months.

Roses, Trees, Shrubs, and Berries (New or Transplanted)
Mix one part worm castings to 3-4 parts soil. Surround newly dug holes with mixture. Spread roots over mound of the mix in the hole and cover.

Roses (Established)
Mix 4 cups worm castings into the soil 1-3 inches deep surrounding each plant.

Lawns (New)
Apply 10 liters worm castings per 100 sq ft. working lightly into the topsoil prior to seeding.

Lawns (Established)
Distribute worm castings as a top dress at the rate of 4 liters per 100 sq ft.

Lawn Thatch Control
Thatch build up is often the result of the absence of soil microbes necessary for the decomposition of dead organic matter (roots and clippings). This is common when a lawn is regularly fertilized with chemical based fertilizers and especially when chemical fungicides and weed killers have been applied. Top dressing your lawn with worm castings re-introduces the beneficial organisms and soil microbes which naturally decompose the thatch. It then turns it into nutrients to feed your lawn and humus which improves the topsoil water holding capacity, aeration and drainage resulting in a healthier, more drought, disease, insect and weed resistant lawn.


*Lil' Devil Worm Ranch*
'IT'S ALL IN THE POO'

Box 1919 Martensville, SK, S0K 2T0 Canada
Email: lildevilwormranch@hotmail.com
Ph# 306.651.3376 ~ Lyndia Fisher - Owner/Operator