We get a lot of questions about how much worm castings to use for particular plants and garden tasks. One of the benefits of worm castings is that they will never burn your plants. That being said, you don't want to use more worm castings when working in the garden than you have to! Worm castings should be between 20 and 30% of your soil. If you apply a larger percentage, you're likely wasting your worm castings and money.
How to Use Worm Castings
Garden Vegetables, Annuals, and Perennials
New Planting - Place 1/2-1 cup of worm castings in the planting hole and mix with soil when plant is set out.
Established Plants - Work 1-2 cups of worm castings into the top 2 to 3 inches of soil around each plant. Water well.
Ongoing Care - Side dress plants during growing season at a rate of 1/2 cup per plant or 1 cup per linear foot of row once every two months.
Raised Bed Vegetables, Annuals, and Perennials
New Planting - Mix 1 part worm castings with 3 parts soil as a planting medium. Add plants and water well.
Established Plants - Work 1/2 cup worm castings into the top 2-3 inches of soil around each plant and water well.
Ongoing Care - Side dress each plant with ¼ cup worm castings each month during the growing season. Work into top few inches of soil & water well.
Planters and Potted Plants
New Planting - Mix 1 part worm castings with 4 parts soil as a planting medium. Add plants and water well.
Established Plants - Work 1-2 inches of worm castings into the top few inches of soil. Water well.
Ongoing Care - Side dress each plant with 2-3 Tbsp of worm castings every 2-3 months. Work into the top few inches of soil. Water well.
Trees, Shrubs, and Berry Bushes
New Planting - Mix 1 part worm castings to 3 parts soil. Place plant in hole and water well.
Established Plants - Apply 2 lbs worm castings per inch of trunk diameter. Work evenly into soil around root area. Water well.
Ongoing Care - Apply 1-2 lbs worm castings per inch of trunk diameter around the drip edge of the plant. Work into soil. Apply in early spring and fall.
Lawns
New Planting - Apply 20-30 pounds of worm castings per 1000 square feet. Work lightly into the top of lawn and water well.
Established Plants - Apply 15-20 pounds per 1000 square feet as a top dressing.
Ongoing Care - Top-dress lawns at the rate of 10-15 pounds per 1000 square feet in early spring and fall. Water well.
Germinating or Sowing Seeds
In Garden Beds - Line planting row with ½ -1 inch worm castings and mix with soil. Place seeds in furrow, cover with soil, and water well.
In Seed Trays or Planting Pots - Use 1 part worm castings to 4 parts seed starting mix. Place seeds, cover with soil and keep moist.
Amending Garden Soil
Apply 1-2 inches of worm castings on garden area, then work gently into the soil. Moisten well.
Compost Piles
Spread a thin layer of castings between each new layer of material to be composted. Moisten well.
Our worm castings are all-natural, non-toxic, and odor-free. Remember to keep worm castings moist until ready to use by misting with water. This keeps the beneficial microbes alive and happy!
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