Worm Castings

Some years ago we began using worm castings at planting time in our potting soils (up to 20% of the mix) and also found it reduced the effects of transplant shock. We further discovered that when making a brewed tea of worm castings, and using it as a foliar spray, it acts as a white fly killer in greenhouse production. We liked using worm castings so much for so many reasons, that we started buying it in bulk. I purchased it in 1200 lb. lots - about half a pickup load - that came in large poly bags.

I have since done further research into Kansas based worm farms, and we continue to pursue the eventual goal of raising our own worms to produce worm castings on-farm for our own fertility raising efforts.

If you haven't tried using worm castings, I recommend you seriously consider it as an organic fertility enhancement, experiment with it, and see if you like using it as much as we do!

Careful not to overdo the worm castings, though! I kept an indoor worm bin for many years, and I found that the castings were too strong to use directly on my houseplants -- salt crystals would form on the surface of the soil, and the plants would turn yellow and die within a week. There may also have been something wrong with my castings, but in any case I recommend starting with low concentrations and mixing the soil thoroughly (or brewing tea as John suggests).