DIY Safe and Natural Fertilizer: Worm Castings

Safe and Natural Fertilizer is what you need if you have a garden and grow your own food. This simple task can save you from ever needing to buy synthetic nutrients for your plants. Worm Castings are one of the highest quality super food for your plants. Not only do they enrich the soil with nutrients, but they also improve the soil’s structure, water retention AND aeration. If you have a garden of any kind, this is a total win.

One of the amazing benefits of worm castings, is that you can add them to your soil without the fear of damaging your plants. Because worm castings are the broken down nutrients made just as it is in nature there is no risk of burning or stressing the plants as there is with other natural and synthetic fertilizers. Another huge benefit worm castings give to your garden is the humus because it extracts harmful bacteria, fungi and toxins from the soil.

There are many ways to create your worm farm, Here is one of the easiest and most affordable I’ve done:

Safe and Natural Fertilizer Supplies

-1 Tote and one lid (dark bin)

-shredded paper (no glossy)

-soil or coco coir

-food waste

-red wiggler worms

Instructions:

Step 1– Drill 10 1/4″ holes along one side near the top of one tote for aeration.

Step 2– Add shredded paper and moisten with water. There should not be any standing water within the bin.

Step 3– Add a little food waste and soil or coco coir

Step 4– Layer more shredded paper and moisten.

Step 5– Close the lid and place in a dark corner for 5-7 days. (This process allows the waste to break down and to find an optimal temperature a little prior to adding your Red Wigglers)

Step 6– After the 5 to 7 days add your Wigglers, add some moistened shredded paper and sprinkle with soil, then close the lid.

What do Wigglers eat?

Red Wigglers can eat most organic items , such as coffee grinds, vegetable and fruit scraps, plant trimmings. The more cut up the easier and faster the Wigglers will work their way through your waste.

Since they can eat Almost anything plant based. Here is a list of what NOT to feed your worms

-meat

-dairy

-pet waste

-processed foods

-hot or spicy foods

When feeding your worms approximately every 5 to 7 days, ensure the scraps are cut up to make the process faster. Red Wigglers optimal temperatures range between 50-80 degrees. Any higher or lower and their digestion process slows down. So try to keep them warm and productive. Turn the soil between adding layers of shredded paper and food waste. Do not over feed as Red Wigglers can only eat their weight in food per day. Keep note how much is left over between feedings to extend or reduce your feeding schedule. If excess moisture builds within the bin, add aeration holes along the top.

Enjoy producing your own nutrient rich natural fertilizer!