It can be said in two words: EARTHWORM CASTINGS. It is definitely the most spectacular method to give your garden, potting soil, or germination mixes the increased zap for better growth. Castings are completely organic besides being the all natural fertilizer. Worm castings have no odor and are non-toxic to boot! The other interesting point is earthworm castings will never burn even your most sensitive plants.

Earthworms themselves assist in the improvement of the soil letting the soil drain better by the worm tunneling activity and in turn improves the aeration, porosity and the deep saturation of the soil. The earthworm also improves soil fertility by releasing minerals that are deep in the subsurface and can often be in very short supply on your surface soil. This is such a valuable ingredient in your garden and with a large population they will even keep the weed growth under control. The tunneling of the earthworm reduces many of the requirements necessary for weed development. An earthworm will frequently digest weed seeds which either destroys them or renders them useless in germination.

The earthworm castings contain such rich water-soluble nutrients. Castings will enable plants to rapidly and without difficulty absorb these essential nutrients. The end result is the plant needs only a minimal effort to obtain all this great nutrients in the right proportions. You will not find this to be the case with most chemical fertilizers. Indeed these fertilizers have many many nutrients, but the plant is limited in the breakdown of these fertilizers to the extent in which an earthworm is able to provide.

How could it actually be better than compost? The earthworm has the ability to transform regular compost with additional beneficial organisms into a completely odorless form ready for immediate use by your plants. In nature animal waste and decaying plant material are worm food not plant food.

In planting my annuals or perennials I put a small handful of castings into each hole I plant. To your garden apply once a year at 20 pounds per 1000 square feet. In your potted plants mix a small amount of worm castings into your potting soil. Keep in mind that castings are very very potent so don't become over zealous in your application it should be no more than one-fifth of the ingredients.

Don't forget about worm tea! Many farmers have used it over the centuries and can be mixed at home. However it is time consuming and requires the correct recipe but it is available in the commercial world. There is evidence that worm tea will cure tomato blight and leaf curl. Worm tea is an excellent 100% natural, non-toxic alternative. There are many places on the internet that you can purchase both worm castings and worm tea. Hey worms are good for more than fishing!