Special Offer for Compost Co-op residential customers only!
Ready to turbocharge your houseplants/garden/orchard/ farm?
Order your (compostable!) box of worm castings here, and we’ll deliver it when we pick up your scraps!
Why are Earthworms and Their Castings So Great?
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They encourage vigorous root growth
As worms eat, they produce castings that aerate the soil and stimulate root growth. These castings are rich in minerals such as potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus, and they slowly release nutrients, reducing the need for fertilizers and the risk of over-fertilization.
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They promote soil microbes
Worms distribute nutrients and stimulate microbial activity, which can help suppress diseases in the soil and enhance nutrient cycling.
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They increase crop yields
Earthworms and their castings have been shown to boost agricultural productivity, especially in compacted soils prone to drought or flooding. They also benefit kitchen gardens, houseplants, lawns, and flowers!
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They detoxify soils
Earthworms can address contamination including petroleum-based fertilizers and pesticides by breaking down the chemical components.
You can read a recent summary of scientific studies of vermicast here.
How and When to Use Worm Castings
- Spread castings evenly on the soil above the root systems.
- For smaller projects, mix in gently with fingers or rake.
- Water lightly.
- For new beds and new tree plantings, combine castings and soil mix in a 1:5 ratio (20 percent).
Plant - Amount - When
| Plant | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetables, Perennials, Annuals | 1-2 inches | Early spring, early summer, early fall |
| Potted plants | 0.5-1 inch | Every 2-3 months |
| Roses, shrubs, vines, trees | 2-3 inches | Early spring, early summer, early fall |
| Lawns | 20 lbs per 100 square feet | Spring and fall |
| New beds | Combine 1:5 castings: soil mix | Then 0.5 inch every 2-3 months spring to fall |
| New trees, shrubs etc | place 1:5 castings: soil mix in hole to surround roots, cover with mixture | At planting |
