Are you concerned about whether your plant growth is average or not? Are you sick of ordinary fertilizers doing nothing but destroying your plant roots? There are many organic fertilizers on the market. If you’re debating about worm castingsvs. seaweed, continue reading to find out which you should use.
What nutrients promote leaf growth? Organic fertilizers have trace minerals like nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and other elements. Moreover, organic fertilizers are full of organic matter and plant growth hormones which aid in healthy and lively plant growth. Common organic fertilizers are fish emulsion, cottonseed meal, kelp compost, worm castings, and bone meal.
Fish emulsion is an animal-based organic fertilizer and is a byproduct of fish meal, and cottonseed meal is a byproduct of cotton processing. In addition, bone meal is high in phosphorus and calcium but lacks other trace minerals for optimum plant growth. However, it is low in nitrogen, so it does not burn plant roots.
Worm castings are a type of organic fertilizer left by earthworms. Worm castings manure, sometimes known as vermicast, is simply earthworm excrement, often known as worm poo. These critters eat compost; thus, their feces acts as an excellent soil enricher. Worm casting is best for soil amendments and is the best organic fertilizer for healthy plant growth.
This organic fertilizer helps repel pests while delivering essential nutrients. Additionally, earthworm castings are available at most garden shops, or you can manufacture your own at home using the vermicomposting process.
Manufacturers use special worm farming techniques for gathering worm castings. First, they place a layer of sand and moist newspaper strips at the bottom of the earthworm castings bin. Then another layer of damp newspaper strips and soil are added into this worm bin.
In addition to this, the manufacturer adds a layer of the compost heap, manure, or leaf compost. They add all the worms and food, such as kitchen scraps or garden debris. Next, the working worms will eat the organic matter and defecate as the days pass. Those are the feces that will begin to fall into the storage pan or compost pit. The worm casting is a dark, fresh-smelling substance that resembles soil.
Seaweed extract or kelp meal is a form of brown seaweed found near rocky beaches. Its composting process is a bit complex as it is hand-harvested, carefully processed at low temperatures, dried, and finely milled into a powder-like substance known as kelp compost.
Kelp or seaweed compost is a great way to boost plant growth hormones. You can use it for your vegetables, herbs, flowers, and perennials in the garden or almost everywhere. The liquid form of this fertilizer is called seaweed. Both have the same saltwater composition, and the difference is that the kelp meal is powdered, whereas the seaweed is in a liquified state.
Seaweeds, such as kelp, improve the structure of nutrient-depleted soils, increase water retention rates, and eventually decompose, adding organic matter to your garden beds, pots, composts, or other fermented fertilizers. Applying seaweed as a foliar spray in the middle of the day or during windy seasons may result in plant tissue burning; instead, apply early in the morning or late in the evening.
Both of the fertilizers have their benefits to the soil. Let us have a look at how one is better than the other.
Worm castings have a trace mineral ratio of 60 micronutrients and contain trace elements. By adding worm castings as an organic fertilizer, you will aid your plants by:
The trace mineral ratio of kelp or seaweed is not the best. It is low in nitrogen and other minerals. Seaweed or pre composted kelp has the following disadvantages:
Worm casting is the best organic fertilizer. They are high in nutrients and can offer your plants an immediate boost while providing long-term nutrition than seaweeds or kelp meals. Besides, they have no added chemicals, additives, or potentially harmful components. With all organic materials, you will have the garden of your dreams.
Yes, worm castings are an excellent fertilizer. As an organic fertilizer, it has trace elements, nutrients, and minerals that directly impact root growth and is an excellent foliar feed for leafy growth. Moreover, worm castings improve seed germination, plant growth, and fruit production, thus giving a complete package for your garden.
Yes, you can put seaweed or kelp on your worm farm. However, you have to remove excess salt as worms may not be fond of it. Also, try to add animal manure and food compost, which will provide much richer nutrients than organic fertilizer.
In providing essential nutrients and trace elements, worm castings do not have disadvantages. However, it has some other downsides, like it may take a longer time to prepare.
Yes! Unlike some high-nitrogen fertilizers, pure worm castings, whether solid or liquid fertilizer, do not shock or burn seedlings or plants. One of the best things about them is that earthworm castings are a gentle, slow-release fertilizer, but have a higher concentration of nutrients than bulk compost.
So, worm castings vs. seaweed? We have concluded that worm casting is an excellent organic fertilizer that most plants will benefit from. Moreover, the trace minerals and high nitrogen content are suitable for plants. In addition, do a soil test before using any worm castings as a foliar feed. What is stopping you from having that dreamy garden? Get up and start working on it!
Do you wish your plants would grow bigger? Was your garden less than it should've been last year?
If you're tired of growing puny vegetables and fruits, it's time for an upgrade...Simple Grow Worm Castings!
What are worm castings? Another term for worm manure. Why would you want to use it in your garden, raised beds, and house plants? Because it makes them grow bigger, faster and healthier...with no chemicals!
How do worm castings do this? It's like giving your plants a powerful multivitamin with everything they need to grow. Trace minerals, nutrients, and most importantly...worm castings are chock full of beneficial microbes. Why does that make a difference?
In recent years, we've learned the importance of gut bacteria for humans and know that it impacts so many different parts of our health. The same thing applies with worms. Gut bacteria from the worm's digestive tract gets into the soil from the worm castings and promotes plant health. Plants have a symbiotic relationship with the microbes from the worm's digestive tract. Plants respond to it and grow really big...really fast!
If you've never tried worm castings before, you owe it to yourself to give them a try. Instead of using traditional chemical fertilizers from the big box store, why not try fresh, certified organic worm castings this year? You'll be able to grow bigger, healthier plants that you actually can feel good about eating.
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