Organic black worm castings are the secret to a successful garden and farm. Worm castings are also known as ‘black gold’ because it contains beneficial enzymes, humus, and bacteria.
Studies show plants that have been grown with worm castings have better and deeper root networks, grow larger, more resistant to diseases, and produce more vegetables.
How do black worm casting work? Organic material is transformed into a natural fertilizer by the bacteria in the alimentary canal of the worm. It all starts when the worm is fed a diet rich in organic material, containing a wide variety of trace elements and minerals. When the material is digested by the worm it is beneficially altered, both physically and chemically.
Plant growth and the micro flora populations in the soil is stimulated by the humic acid found in black worm castings, while extracting bacteria, fungi and toxins.
The soil’s ability to retain water vastly increased with the addition of worm castings. Mineral clusters, called aggregates, are formed by the worm castings. Which not only increases water retention, but also allows the plant from compaction and water erosion.
Short term benefits include adding an incredibly high amount of microorganisms which naturally protect the plant’s leaves and roots from foreign pathogens, stimulate plant growth and suppress disease. Enhances germination and crop yield.
Long term benefits include, depleted soil is rebuilt with microbial life, a crucial step to nutrient recycling, without burning the roots of your plants.
The end product a great investment, an amazingly fertile organic fertilizer, teeming with living soil microorganisms and micronutrients essential for plant development and soil improvement.
The application of black castings also enables the plant to naturally repel insects, which you have to admit is pretty impressive!
Chitinase is an enzyme produced in the worms digestive system. Which breaks down chitin, compromising most insects exoskeleton. Repelling many of those bugs which compromise our gardens such as whiteflies, aphids, and hard shelled plant bugs.
If you live in an area where there is drought type conditions or have dusty soil, worm castings keep moisture in the soil and available to the plants. Work the worm castings into the soil at least twice a year, the results will be pleasantly surprising!
Many gardeners are trying their hand at raising worms themselves to reap the benefits of their castings. Typically it is the Eisenia foetida, or red wiggler used to produce castings because they are voracious decomposers and really like the organic material. The worms we tend to find in our garden is the Lumbricus terrestis, they like to burrow deep and prefer to live in the soil.
Whether you are trying your hand at raising worms yourself nor choosing to purchase black castings, to ensure success start with quality organic materials from Vermitechnology.