Marilyn Pokorney

Earthworm Friends in the Garden

Research has shown that earthworm excrement, also calledcastings or vermicompost, improves the aeration, porosity,structure, drainage, and moisture-holding capacity of soil.

Many studies prove that when compared to conventionalcomposts, vermicompost is less variable and much morestable. Mixing vermicompost into the planting mediumessentially eliminated the need for additional fertilizer inthe production of tomato plugs as one example.

Studies show that earthworm castings increase height, stemdiameter, enhance root growth, increase dry weight, andproduce more flowers per plant than peat moss.

Redworm castings are the richest and purest humus matter inthe world. Humus is believed to aid in the prevention ofharmful plant pathogens, fungi, nematodes and bacteria.

One pound of worms can convert one pound of pig manure intocompost in 48 hours!

Worms consume three times their weight a week or more. Redwrigglers are very active, reproduce quickly and consumetheir own body weight of waste every 24 hours. Therefore tenpounds of worms will eat ten pounds of waste in 24 hours!

Worm castings provide a rich source of a variety ofessential plant nutrients.

Microbial activity in worm castings is 10 to 20 times higherthan in the soil and organic matter that the worm ingests."

How to use worm castings:

When planting vegetable and annuals line the rows and holeswith about two inches of castings. About every eight weeksside dress the plants with one-half cup of castings perplant or one cup per foot of row.

For perennials work one-half cup of castings into the soilin the spring, middle of summer, and early fall.

For pots and hanging baskets add one-half inch castings tothe top and water in. Then reapply every eight weeks.

Roses appreciate four cups of castings per plant.

If starting a new lawn add 15 pounds of casting per 100square feet when sowing. Once established use seven poundsper 100 square feet.

For more information about vermicompost and castings visit:

http://www.apluswriting.net/garden/earthworm.htm

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