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Words: 341 Copyright: 2005 Marilyn Pokorney
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article appears to: marilynp@nctc.net ---------------------------- Earthworms are a gardener's best friend.
Research has shown that earthworm excrement, also called castings or vermicompost, improves
aeration, porosity, structure, drainage, and moisture-holding capacity of soil.
Many studies prove that when compared to conventional composts, vermicompost is less variable and much more stable. Mixing vermicompost into
planting medium essentially eliminated
need for additional fertilizer in
production of tomato plugs as one example.
Studies show that earthworm castings increase height, stem diameter, enhance root growth, increase dry weight, and produce more flowers per plant than peat moss.
Redworm castings are
richest and purest humus matter in
world. Humus is believed to aid in
prevention of harmful plant pathogens, fungi, nematodes and bacteria.