Vermiculture: What to do with worm castings

Nov 26, 2010 13:08:17

How do you know how much worm castings to give to something? What do you do with the tea?

Feb 16, 2011 14:38:12

How much casting would you put under a corn seed?

Feb 16, 2011 15:35:22

travis laduke wrote:
How do you know how much worm castings to give to something? What do you do with the tea?

You can add several teaspoons to half a gallon or a gallon and use it as a fast-acting fertilizer. It has a huge range of beneficial microorganisms in it. If using as a soil amendment, I've had good success with about 10-20% casts by volume mixed in with a rake or hoe or in potting soil. It makes plants grow fast, bloom like crazy, very lush, and dark green.

For corn seed, maybe a few teaspoons mixed into the soil around it. Water for a while with vermicompost tea for early and high success rates in germination. I don't recommend applying vermicompost straight, it might burn or kill the seeds. Still a bit too rich in nutrients, though I have noticed that melon and squash seeds germinate in worm bins and vermicompost with great vigor.

Feb 16, 2011 16:48:26

I just started my worm bin today, but my plan is to try a little first. If they like it, try more. In a scientific study I saw, 10% had huge results, but 20% only moderately more. So if you're trying to get the most bang for the buck, 10% seems like a good start.

Feb 16, 2011 19:10:21

GPtech wrote:
I just started my worm bin today, but my plan is to try a little first. If they like it, try more. In a scientific study I saw, 10% had huge results, but 20% only moderately more. So if you're trying to get the most bang for the buck, 10% seems like a good start.

Even a light watering with vermicompost tea will have noticeable and invigorating effects on plants. This and other beneficial effects from using vermicompost and "ze verms" made me into a convert. When you think about it, healthy soil usually has a lot of earthworms...and a lot of earthworm poo.

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