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One pound of worms can convert one pound of pig manure into compost in 48 hours!
Worms consume three times their weight a week or more. Red wrigglers are very active, reproduce quickly and consume their own body weight of waste every 24 hours. Therefore ten pounds of worms will eat ten pounds of waste in 24 hours!
Worm castings provide a rich source of a variety of essential plant nutrients.
Microbial activity in worm castings is 10 to 20 times higher than in
soil and organic matter that worm ingests."
How to use worm castings:
When planting vegetable and annuals line rows and holes with about two inches of castings. About every eight weeks side dress plants with one-half cup of castings per plant or one cup per foot of row.
For perennials work one-half cup of castings into soil in spring, middle of summer, and early fall.
For pots and hanging baskets add one-half inch castings to top and water in. Then reapply every eight weeks.
Roses appreciate four cups of castings per plant.
If starting a new lawn add 15 pounds of casting per 100 square feet when sowing. Once established use seven pounds per 100 square feet.
For more information about vermicompost and castings visit:
http://www.apluswriting.net/garden/earthworm.htm
Marilyn Pokorney Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment. Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading. Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
