Name of Product: Baltic Worm Casting Natural Top Soil Builder and Improver
The Best Place to Buy: www.amazon.co.uk
Product Dimensions: 26.01cm x 23.5cm x 7.4cm
Shipping Weight: 2.78kg
My Score: 9/10
In this article, we will be discussing if you should use worm castings in your garden. In a previous article, I reviewed wormeries where the main product of worm cast is made by your own fair hands.
To some, this can be a difficult process taking a lot of time and effort. It is also very messy but there is an alternative which you can use in your garden and is less costly than buying a wormery. Less messy but the same benefits on offer.
You will discover why you want to add this soil conditioner to the soil and what benefits they offer in this review.
WHAT ARE WORM CASTINGS?
Worm casings is the poo from a specific type of earthworm, also known as vermicasts. Depending on the food the worms have eaten determines the quality of the worm cast produced. As they eat their food their waste they create can be seen as an ultimate soil conditioner.
When added to the soil, worm castings not only improve its structure and allow better aeration, it will also add beneficial nutrient to the plants.
Organic worm castings are an excellent soil conditioner for plants both indoors and outdoors. It contains a lot of essential nutrients that plants need, include the main primary, secondary nutrients and trace elements. The main advantage is that it can be used directly on many types of plants without burning the delicate roots. It can be used as a top dressing or worked into the soil.
This particular compost is made by the manufacturer collecting cow manure from farms, which is them composted via Wormeries by Californian red wrigglers. Once the vermicompost is ready and matured enough, it is passed through a 4mm sieve, so that the warm casts can be harvested,
It is claimed by the manufactures that the cast produced is ten times better than multipurpose compost and cow manure. A bold claim to make and we will have to wait to see if it can live up to the claims.
WHAT CAN WORM CASTINGS BE USED FOR?
Worm castings are a natural fertilizer that can be used for seed germination, improving soil fertilization and to improve the health and vitality of the plants, be it vegetables, fruits or flowers. It is believed that it not only increases the nutrients available to the plant, but it can improve the microbial composition and therefore improving the plant resistance to disease. From research, it has been discovered that worm castings contain enzymes that aids in plant growth.
It had the right balance of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium to help strong growth, healthier and helps the plants to produce better fruits and blooms.
The worm castings can improve the germination of seeds as it contains micro-organisms that help with seed germination, vigour and how the plant grows. Worm castings contain a small amount of gibberellic acid that often helps and promotes germination in many species.
Worm castings also encourage the plant to form a dense root structure and will help to support the condition of existing roots. A stronger root means a sturdier plant, able to take more punishment and other potential problems the plant is exposed to.
A well-developed root system means that is better at uptaking water, nutrients and oxygen from the soil. This will result in healthier plants provided the plant uptake these nutrients regularly.
To use it sprinkle it on top of the soil or you can dig it into the compost.
Worm casts have no nasty smell, but an earthy odour, so it is safe to use them on indoor houseplants. As it is made naturally from a natural friend, dogs will not be harmed if they eat it.
HOW TO USE
For germinating seeds, mix with seed compost at a ratio of 1 part worm castings to 4 parts seed compost. Do not plant seeds directly onto the worm castings as this will burn the delicate roots of the seedlings as it germinates.
When planting plants as preparation for your containers, mix 1 part worm casting with 3 parts, multipurpose compost.
When planting directly in the soil, mix 50-200ml of worm casting (more for large plants) with the pre-dug out soil. Dig the soil out and mix it with the worm casting at the recommended dosage, place the plant in the hole and then backfill with the worm enriched soil.
For improving the condition of the soil and raised beds, scatter 500 ml to 1 litre of worm castings per square metre.
A truly excellent product.
PROS
- Helps in plant germination, rooting and fertilization.
- Has many uses in the garden.
- Improves soil aeration.
- Can be used indoors and outdoors.
- Reasonably priced.
CONS
- If you have a large area, you will need to buy a lot of product, which can get very expensive.
- It is not a miracle, cure-all product. It improves the condition of the soil but it cannot work wonders.
WHY SHOULD YOU BUY WORM CASTINGS?
As you can imagine, worm castings are nature’s gift for those who want an excellent soil improver. I have used it and am impressed with the results. It is certainly easier than having your own wormery, but the resulting product just has many uses and it is quicker.
Worm castings are a great addition to any gardener’s toolbox and I have hope you consider buying some here. A product that is effective as a soil conditioner like no other.
If you want to give me some feedback, comments or question, please do so in the comment box below.
Start using worm casting in your garden today.