The Importance of Red Worms in Organic Gardens

Every organic gardening enthusiast knows how important red worm castings and vermicompostingare for their garden. That is why worm composting is well-known among home-garden farmers. Raising healthy compost worms is a very important task for m any home garden-farmers because of the numerous benefits these wriggly little things provide to their gardens.

Red worms excrete rich castings which are considered one of the richest natural fertilizers known to man, therefore making red wormsone of the most (if not the most) sought after worms in the commercial market and worm composting one of the most replicated activities amongst garden farmers. But what are red worm castings exactly? How do they help plants? Why are they considered one of the most effective organic fertilizers? That is what we are about to find out!

Organic Gardening Fact: What are Worm Castings? 

Organic fertilizers are mostly provided for by the ecological system. Aside from red worm castings, manure, slurry, seaweed, peat, guano and sewage are also considered organic. These are naturally provided by the environment and are abundant in nature. There are lots of nutrients found in these worm castings that are beneficial to plants.

Many nitrogen supplying fertilizers contain insoluble nitrogen. This 'insoluble nitrogen' can serve as a slow-release fertilizer for plants. Red worm castings in particular, hold an extremely vigorous mixture of bacteria, enzymes, plant matter and animal manure which are very beneficial to plants.

How do They Help Plants? 

The composition of castings from red worms is rich in nutritious minerals which are very important to plant growth such as concentrated nitrates, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium and calcium. Other than that, other minerals found in the worm castings are as follows: copper, zinc, borax, iron, carbon, nitrogen and manganese. When added to the soil asorganic fertilizers, these minerals act as very important supplements to the plants.

Red Worms Castings as an Efficient Organic Fertilizer 

When added to soil, red worm castings acts as a fertilizer and also increases the complexity and multiplicity of organisms in the 'root zone' thus we help prevent plant disease and pest infestations. Red worm castings also retain all the nutrients in the soil for the plants to absorb and it also aids in the cycling process of the ecological system of the garden. Water conservation and retention is another advantage put forth by red worm castings. Worm castings can form into aggregates - mineral clusters - which can come together to prevent soil erosion and compaction, thus aiding in the water retention process.

Advantages of Using Red Worm Castings as Fertilizer 

Organic fertilizers are also perfect for those practical farmers who want to save money on their garden maintenance. They need not be applied on a constant and increasing basis to maintain fertility, unlike artificial fertilizers which are the opposite. Thus this would save you from having to buy more and more artificial fertilizers for your organic gardening farm. Worm castings are also a lot cheaper than artificial fertilizers if they are bought locally, making it the perfect alternative to artificial fertilizers when it comes to providing supplements to the soil.

Overall, using organic fertilizers such as red worm castings are far more beneficial as compared to artificial fertilizers. It would also be very beneficial to the pocket of the gardener, being able to save for other organic garden supplies that they need. This being the case, it would not be a bad idea to use red worms for vermicomposting over artificial fertilizers.

Earthworm Castings are more than just a great fertilizer, they are the ultimate compost. They enhance plant growth and all nutrients are water-soluble, which makes it an immediate plant food. In addition to it's use as a potting soil, earthworm castings can also be used as a planting soil for trees, vegetables, shrubs, and flowers. They can be used as a mulch and the effects of the use of castings are immediately visible. Earthworm castings are clean, odorless, and can be used indoors and outdoors to provide a boost to all of your plants.

One of the best things about earthworm castings is that they are concentrated and rich in nitrogen. They are gentle enough that they can be applied directly to sensitive plant roots without fear of burning and they supply magnesium, phosphates, calcium, potassium, and potash, along with micro-nutrients and trace elements.

Worm castings are filled with beneficial soil microbes and organisms that will help restore life and good health to depleted and worn out garden soils.

Castings can be added to potting soil or mixed into the containers of established houseplants for indoor use. It is especially effective to use earthworm castings as an addition to seed starting mix to grow seedlings under indoor lights. You will see a noticeable improvement in the size and growth of vegetable seedlings and transplants by using castings.

In outdoor gardens worm castings can be spread and incorporated into the surface soil levels of your raised beds or added to the bottom of the planting hole when setting out transplants.

If you would prefer to use a liquid version of the earthworm casting you can prepare an earthworm castings 'tea'. All you need to do is soak a few tablespoons of castings per gallon of water and leave overnight. The castings tea can then be strained, diluted, and used to water house as well as garden plants, or you can spray directly onto the leaves as a foliar fertilizer.

However you elect to use earthworm castings, you can be assured that your flowers, vegetables, and indoor houseplants will all benefit and respond with noticeable growth and vigor in a manner that is both environmentally friendly and safe.