Download Real World Skills Program

Worm Castings Fertilizer
Harvested by Students
of the
Real World Skills Program
at Charlotte Technical Center
CHARLOTTE TECHNICAL CENTER
18150 Murdock Circle
Port Charlotte, FL 33948
(941) 255-7500 Ext. 257 or 164
Worm Castings
(a.k.a. worm manure, vermicompost, or worm
excreta)
Worm castings are rich in plant nutrients, trace minerals
and growth enhancers, and incorporating castings into the
soil significantly increases microbial life in the root zone.
Worm castings are extremely beneficial by stimulating
plant growth more than any other natural product, it helps
your soil to retain water, and also inhibit root diseases such
as root rot. The humus in worm castings removes toxins
and harmful fungi and bacteria from the soil. Worm
Castings therefore have the ability to fight off plant
diseases.
One of the best features of worm castings is you can use as
much as you want without the fear of burning tender
young plants as other fertilizers are known to do. Unlike
other animal manure and artificial fertilizers it is absorbed
very easily and almost instantaneously by plants.
Castings will not burn even when applied directly to the
most delicate plants. Definitely the finest soil conditioner
available. Great for use in your entire garden! Completely
odor-free and 100% organic! Use for indoor plants, and
container gardening, as well.
Unlike other animal manure and artificial fertilizers it is
absorbed very easily and almost instantaneously by plants.
They are at the same time naturally endowed with a slow
release feature, causing the nutrient benefits to last up to 2
months!
The miracles of the earthworm are easily seen in the
beautiful growth and yields of your plants.
Worm Castings Compost
You can put a small amount in or around your house plants,
vegetables and flowers, as the humic acid in worm castings
are able to stimulate plant growth, even in low
concentrations.
Castings will not burn plants, completely odor-free and it’s
100% organic.
How to Make Worm Castings Tea
Worm tea may not sound too appetizing but your plants
will really love it. Worm tea lets you fertilize a garden
cheaply without adding bulk to your soil and water your
garden with something really "nutritious". Your garden will
practically jump up and shout "Hallelujah!" when fertilized
with worm castings tea, and you will be amazed at the rate
of growth and flowering.
#1 Fill a bucket with water, 5 gallon works well. Either use
rainwater or let the water stand so the chlorine can
evaporate out. You don't want to kill the beneficial microorganisms, which is the point of municipal chlorine.
#2 Add the 2 tablespoons of corn syrup or molasses to the
water. You can also dissolve the molasses in a small (like
half a cup) of hot water before adding it to the bucket. This
will serve as food for the micro-organisms.
#3 Put 2 cups of the castings into a thin mesh "teabag" of
pantyhose or a similarly sheer sock then knot the end. Put
the tea bag in the water and soak overnight. Put in a
watering can or a spray bottle to water your plants.
Benefits of Worm Compost
The tea can be applied in two ways, directly into soil or as a
plant spray. A list of benefits of worm tea & compost
include:
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Worm Castings have no harmful chemicals so it
improves general health for the soil and the user.
Plants are more active, taking up nutrients from the
tea or compost.
Nutrients and food in the tea encourages good
microorganisms to grow.
Worm Tea nutrients are retained on leafs and are
released slowly, being available to the plant with
time. This improves plants health and nutrition.
Worm Castings helps soil structure improve, with
more oxygen reaching into the roots and preventing
toxin build up in soil by anaerobes.
Water retention in soil is improved & increases
drought resistance.
Depth of root grow is increased. Stronger roots
means stronger plants, with deeper access to
nutrients and water.
Decomposition of dead organic material
and toxins are increased.
Worm Castings can reduce irrigation cost up to 50%
by retaining moisture in the soil.
Nutrients found in Worm Castings last up to 6 times
longer than the nutrients found in ordinary potting
soil.
Worm Castings are completely safe to use around
children and pets.