What Are Worm Castings?
What’s So Great About Worm Castings Anyway?
You’ve heard the buzz that worm castings are the gold standard for nourishing your garden. But you have questions. Like, what makes worm poop so good for soil? And is it really just worm poop?
Is it really poop?
First the big question. Yes, vermicompost, aka, worm castings really are just worm poop. And here’s why you’ll never want to garden without it again.
Child holds beneficial worms for you soil.
2. Micro life for the win!
Vermicompost adds micro life to your soil. Things like good bacteria, protozoa, fungi and nematodes, which your plants need to break down nutrients into a water-soluble form, that the plants can ingest. Basically, the ‘food’ aka nutrients could be sitting right in front of your plant roots, but without healthy microbes to break it down to be water soluble, your plant can’t ‘eat’ it.
Beneficial nematode
3. Bigger, better, stronger!
What do your plants do with those nutrients? They grow stronger roots, and stronger roots in a plant is like having a stronger foundation in your house. You grow healthier, more disease resistant plants.
New plants spreading their roots.
4. Moisture and oxygen, yes please!
Worm castings are also great at retaining water, so your soil stays moist. Castings give you aeration, which is especially helpful in heavy clay soil like we have here in Colorado. Not only are plant roots and microbes happier in moist well aerated soil, but if the soil gets too dry, both will die.
Watering a section of plants that has just received worm castings.
Remember, your worm castings are only as good as the food you’re feeding your worms. So, if you’re making your own vermicompost at home, be sure to feed your worm friends a varied diet of fruits and vegetables, so your compost is rich in nutrients.