Worm castings, often called vermicast, are an incredibly rich and natural form of fertilizer that can significantly improve soil health.
If you've noticed that your plants aren't performing as well as they used to (especially perennials), it's likely because the soil they are planted in has been depleted of good nutrients over time.
You don't want to have to pull out each plant to re-amend the soil, and you certainly don't want to start replacing plants altogether.
The solution? Amend the soil by surrounding the plant with a rich compost in the Fall, so that it slowly feeds the soil during the winter via winter rains and snows. One to try that is proven to greatly enhance soil health is worm castings.
Worm castings, often called vermicast, are an incredibly rich and natural form of fertilizer that can significantly improve soil health. Produced by earthworms as they digest organic matter, worm castings are packed with essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are vital for plant growth.
Worm castings contain beneficial microbes that help break down organic material, making nutrients more accessible to plants. These castings improve soil structure by enhancing its water retention and aeration capabilities, which is especially helpful in heavy clay or sandy soils.
When mixed into garden beds or used as a top dressing, worm castings can boost plant vitality and increase resistance to diseases and pests.
Unlike synthetic fertilizers, worm castings release nutrients slowly over time, preventing nutrient burn and ensuring steady plant growth. They also enhance root development, which leads to stronger, more resilient plants.
Worm castings are a popular product among organic growers, vineyard and cannabis growers, and home gardeners. They are an all-natural, long-lasting, and versatile superfood that doesn't have the damaging side effects of chemical fertilizers.
Apply worm castings to your soil by top dressing, which involves sprinkling a handful of castings directly on top of the soil where the roots go into the ground.
Best of all, worm castings are safe for all types of plants, from vegetables to flowers, making them an excellent addition to any organic gardening practice.
How and how much to apply
We recommend using sidedressing with worm castings, a technique that involves applying fertilizer around the bottom of the plant, where the stems meet the soil. Using one to two cups per plant (depending on size of the plant), create a ring of worm castings around the bottom of each plant near where the stems come out of the ground and then water well. For larger plants, sprinkle a 1-inch layer in and amongst the stems the best you can.
However many established plants you need to sidedress times 1 or 2 (cups) is how many cups of worm castings you'll need to purchase. A 4 quart bag of worm castings equals roughly 16 cups of worm castings, which is enough to apply to 16 typically sized plants.
Another process you can try is the mix 1 bag worm castings with 1 bag compost and 1 bag topsoil to revive your soil and sidedress with that. This is also great for your soil and will save you some money on purchasing 100% worm castings.
Where to buy
Worm castings are easy to find locally at The Big Tool Box, The Home Depot, Tractor Supply Co., Lowes, and your local garden nurseries. If you wait for Spring to apply worm castings (it's a good time in the Spring, too), we've heard Costco sells large bags for a great price.
You don't want to have to pull out each plant to re-amend the soil, and you certainly don't want to start replacing plants altogether.
The solution? Amend the soil by surrounding the plant with a rich compost in the Fall, so that it slowly feeds the soil during the winter via winter rains and snows. One to try that is proven to greatly enhance soil health is worm castings.
Worm castings, often called vermicast, are an incredibly rich and natural form of fertilizer that can significantly improve soil health. Produced by earthworms as they digest organic matter, worm castings are packed with essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are vital for plant growth.
Worm castings contain beneficial microbes that help break down organic material, making nutrients more accessible to plants. These castings improve soil structure by enhancing its water retention and aeration capabilities, which is especially helpful in heavy clay or sandy soils.
When mixed into garden beds or used as a top dressing, worm castings can boost plant vitality and increase resistance to diseases and pests.
Unlike synthetic fertilizers, worm castings release nutrients slowly over time, preventing nutrient burn and ensuring steady plant growth. They also enhance root development, which leads to stronger, more resilient plants.
Worm castings are a popular product among organic growers, vineyard and cannabis growers, and home gardeners. They are an all-natural, long-lasting, and versatile superfood that doesn't have the damaging side effects of chemical fertilizers.
Apply worm castings to your soil by top dressing, which involves sprinkling a handful of castings directly on top of the soil where the roots go into the ground.
Best of all, worm castings are safe for all types of plants, from vegetables to flowers, making them an excellent addition to any organic gardening practice.
How and how much to apply
We recommend using sidedressing with worm castings, a technique that involves applying fertilizer around the bottom of the plant, where the stems meet the soil. Using one to two cups per plant (depending on size of the plant), create a ring of worm castings around the bottom of each plant near where the stems come out of the ground and then water well. For larger plants, sprinkle a 1-inch layer in and amongst the stems the best you can.
However many established plants you need to sidedress times 1 or 2 (cups) is how many cups of worm castings you'll need to purchase. A 4 quart bag of worm castings equals roughly 16 cups of worm castings, which is enough to apply to 16 typically sized plants.
Another process you can try is the mix 1 bag worm castings with 1 bag compost and 1 bag topsoil to revive your soil and sidedress with that. This is also great for your soil and will save you some money on purchasing 100% worm castings.
Where to buy
Worm castings are easy to find locally at The Big Tool Box, The Home Depot, Tractor Supply Co., Lowes, and your local garden nurseries. If you wait for Spring to apply worm castings (it's a good time in the Spring, too), we've heard Costco sells large bags for a great price.