What is and what are the uses of worm castings?

Vermicompost is a natural compost With which your plants are going to be, as they say a lot in Latin America and not so much in Spain, divine. It is a product widely used in organic farming, and easy to produce, which has a low selling price and is also easy to get.

The crops will grow healthy with this fertilizer, which can even be mixed with the substrate that we put in the pots. It is rich in nutrients and improves the structure of the soil, among many other things that we will see below.

Characteristics of worm castings

It is a product that we also know as vermicompost, since it is obtained from vermicomposting. This is a process in which worms digest organic matter, and after breaking it down, they expel it. Although at first we might think otherwise, it doesn't smell bad at all.

It is dark brown almost black, and is quite light. It can be mixed with other substrates improving its characteristics; in fact, it is often added in mixtures that make up the universal cropland.

Properties of worm castings

This compost has many properties, and all of them are very beneficial both for the soil and for the plants that grow in it. For example, you have to know that:

• It is rich in nutrients. It contains not only the three most important (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), but also magnesium, manganese, iron, zinc and copper.
• Protects crops in a way- The microbes it contains control and reduce pathogenic viruses, bacteria and fungi.
• Increases the productivity of plants: the nutrients that they provide are the ideal ones so that they can grow, flourish and bear fruit well.
• It improves soil structure: makes it lighter, facilitating rooting and ensuring that plants have excellent growth. In addition, it stabilizes the pH, and makes the soil more resistant to erosion.
• It is not toxic. During the worm compost manufacturing process, any microbes and pathogens it may contain are eliminated.

How is it produced?

Would you like to have homemade worm castings? Then aim. You will need to:

• A vermicomposter
• Substrate: peat or coconut fiber (for sale here)
• Vegetable leftovers: vegetables, egg and / or lemon peels
• Paper napkins
• California red worms

Once you have it, follow these steps:

1. Place the vermicomposter outside, in an area protected from both the sun and the rain and the wind.
2. Moisten the substrate you have chosen well and fill the container with it.
3. Add the worms.
4. Let a couple of days pass, and then add vegetable scraps to them and cover them with substrate. Increase the amount as the worms grow. Every time you put them in, you have to cover them with a layer of substrate.
5. After 6 to 8 weeks the compost will be ready to be taken. This will end up in the tray of the vermicomposter, and you will know that it is ready when you see that it is homogeneous and dark brown / blackish in color.

A trick so that unwanted insects do not go to your humus is to moisten it every time you see it dry. Thus, it will undoubtedly be perfect.

How to use vermicompost?

Before answering that question, you should know that there are two types of worm castings on the market: one that is powder, which is the most used, and another that is liquid. But It should be borne in mind that it is better to fertilize potted plants with liquid fertilizers, since in this way the earth is prevented from compacting, making it difficult for the water to pass.

Likewise, it is achieved that the roots absorb it faster, that is why it should be used during the growing season of the plants; that is, in spring and summer.

Powdered humus is more suitable for adding to plants that are grown in the ground., as well as to fertilize the land before sowing. The preferred time to do this is fall, or even winter, although you can pay with it throughout the year.

How much to add to the plants?

The worm humus is a natural fertilizer, but it is very important to bear in mind that you cannot add the amount you want, especially if we choose to use liquid humus. The latter, being more concentrated, would cause damage to our plants if we do not follow the indications specified on the product packaging. Therefore, you have to know that you have to add this amount:

Powdered worm castings dosage

• Plants in the ground:
  • Fruit trees: if they are young between 5 and 6kg, and if they are adults up to 7kg.
  • Fruit climbers: between 1 and 2kg per plant.
  • Vegetables: between 300 and 500 grams per square meter.
  • Ornamentals:
    • Trees and palm trees: between 1 and 3kg, depending on whether they are young or adult.
    • Shrubs and the like: between 300 and 500 grams per square meter.
    • Herbaceous (flowers and aromatic): between 100 and 300 grams per square meter.
• Potted plants: approximately it is necessary to mix the earth with between 10 and 20% of vermicompost.

Dosage of liquid worm castings

May vary by manufacturer, but in general it is diluted about 20-30 ml per liter of water. Then, it is applied either by foliar application by spraying, or on the ground so that the roots absorb it. The frequency will also depend on what the packaging indicates, but it is usually done every 10-15 days during spring and summer.

Of course, it is preferable that you apply it in the afternoon, since this way the plants will have enough time to absorb it.

Where to buy?

If you wish, you can buy powdered hummus here, and liquid by clicking on this other link. Do not run out of your subscription.