Worm castings (vermicastings) is the best way to reclaim the soil.
It is natures pure unadulterated process. It has been proven to
increase plant growth, health, and yield faster and better than many
other types of soil amendments. I have been using it for years and have
personally seen the effects of it on my tomatoes, corn, watermelon,
peppers and well, everything that I grow in my garden. So here's the "Dirt"
on vermicastings. George W. Dickerson, Extension Horticulture
Specialist from New Mexico State University said "Earthworm castings
in the home garden often contain 5-11 times more nitrogen,
phosphorous, and potassium than the surrounding soil". He also went on
to say, "Secretions in the intestinal tracts of earthworms, along with
soil passing through the earthworms, make nutrients more concentrated
and available for plant uptake, including micronutrients." You can
view his table of chemical and mineral percentages by clicking here.
It
is widely proven through many studies at universities and
laboratories that worm castings is not only a soil replenisher and
fertilizer but in many ways a pesticide and pathogenicide, in the
sense that it helps the plants build a strong immune system. This is a
quote from Clive A. Edwards, professor at Ohio State University Dep.
of Entomology in his publication on
The utilization of vermicomposts in horticulture and agriculture "Clearly, vermicomposts are very valuable tools in crop production and pest and disease management".
This immune system has been proven to be effective against such pests as cucumber beetles and sucking insects like aphids, medley bugs, and scale insects. Clive A. Edwards also says that Vermicompost suppresses such pathogens as Pythium, Rhizocronia, Plectosporium, and Verticullium.
Due to the spongy nature of worm castings (vermicastings) it has a high water retention capacity and allows
the soil to aerate properly. The complexity of the microbe community
and of course, what you feed the worms, is what gives plants their
broad diet. Many gardeners who compost their leaves and grass
clippings think that their compost possesses this abundant broad
community of microbes. Some may, but what has been determined through
testing is that the product has a relatively poor structure and is
lacking in nutrients. Albeit this is better than chemicals, but the
garden compost is missing that special bond between the plant and its
food...the worm. Since the beginning of time earthworms have
had a specific purpose. they were designed to have a special
interaction between waste and microorganisms. The reason the worms
digestive tract runs the entire length if its body is to give bacteria
ample time to aid the worm in breaking down the decaying matter. By
strictly using a garden compost you're bypassing this natural and
vital process that all plant life depend on.
Final thought
Have
you ever walked through a luscious forest and noticed the rich green
abundant life. It must be because someone is spending a lot of time and
hard work on spreading synthetic fertilizer around right? Of course
not. The floor of a forest is teaming with microbes feeding and
cleaning up all the leftovers from last year. We both know it's pure
unadulterated nature at its best. So, why do we continue to spread
dangerous chemicals on our crops and in our soil? Well, some of it is
ignorance I guess, and the other is for the same reason a body builder
would use steroids. It makes them bigger and beefier faster. They
even know the unhealthy risks they are taking, but do not care. They
have their eye on the money and the prize. Agriculture has also become
that body builder who competes for the money and the prize. However,
it is not really a prize in the end, but sadly, a price.
If you would like to learn how to apply the vermicastings to your plant then go to the worm castings usage page.