What are worm
castings?
Worm castings are the
digested material (excrement) from worms.
They are rich in microbial life and include some very effective
chemicals that help plants grow.
What is soil microbial
life?
Soil microbial life
includes bacteria, amoeba, protozoa, fungi, and nematodes. These microbes digest organic material and
each other creating nutrients that are made readily available to plant roots. In a healthy soil, there are billions of
these critters in just one teaspoon of soil.
In fact, in a teaspoon of healthy soil, there can be over 100,000
different species of bacteria alone!
This microbial life is an
essential element in soil that is a functioning part of the earth’s
ecosystem. It breaks down dead organic
matter into usable elements for the growth of plants.
Why are worm castings
superior to other types of soil amendments or compost?
Worm castings have a
wider diversity of microbial life than simple compost. Moreover they naturally contain humates, auxins, kinetins, and cytokinins that act as
plant-growth regulators that other types of soil amendments do not
contain. Science is just beginning to
understand the importance of these chemicals.
They stimulate cell growth, the uptake of nutrients into roots, control
the length of cells, and even act as an anti-aging compound so that plant cells
do not decay as fast.
In addition,
they contain the enzyme chitinase which dissolves chitin, a chemical that
creates the hard shells of insects, thus acting as an insect repellent.
How are
worm castings used?
Worm castings
can either be mixed into the soil or applied on top of the soil as a top
dressing and watered in. Studies have
shown that as little as 5% castings added to soil achieve dramatic beneficial
results. In addition, worm castings can
be used to make worm tea. Tea is used
as a leaf spray to suppress disease or sprayed onto the soil to enhance microbe
life. Because of the chitinase in
castings, someone has even applied for a patent for the use of worm tea as an
insect repellent!
Are
castings effective in disease and insect suppression?
Yes. Plants given a wide variety of nutrients on
which to feed rather than restricted chemical forms of NPK grow healthier, more
bountiful and disease resistant.
Insects will attack weak or dying plants rather than healthy ones.
Are castings
environmentally safe?
Yes. Castings are child, pet, wildlife and earth
friendly. Casting are made in a natural
process of worms eating organic material. No man-made or petrochemicals are added. In fact, our Barefoot Soil Earthworm Castings are made from worms
fed washed dairy manure of cows that are hormone and antibiotic free.
In fact, worm teas are
increasingly used in turf management rather than harsh fungicides. For example Brandon Dunes Golf Course in
Oregon is just one golf course that uses them exclusively with exceptional
results. Worm teas are also used in
residential turf management and lawn care with results that sometimes far
outperform chemicals. Grass is
healthier, thatch is reduced, and the soil becomes more water retentive not to
mention the eliminated harmful effects of chemicals on surface and ground water
and their toxic effects on all life.
Are castings high in
NPK?
No, typically they are
not. However, growers find that less
added nitrogen, for instance, is necessary to achieve equivalent growth results
to soils that are not microbiologically enhanced. One study said 1/60th the amount of nitrogen was
required. The biological life acts to
transform nitrogen in the soil and convert nitrogen in the air to usable forms
for plants.
What is the bottom
line?
Volumes have been
written on the beneficial results from the use of worm castings as a soil
amendment and in worm teas, and they continue to be studied by research
universities around the world. Castings
improve plant growth, improve soils’ water retention by increasing soil
aggregates, are 100% organic, are non-toxic, can't burn, are odor-free and
effect odor elimination, control or eliminate fungi, and create insect
repellency.