Earthworms are much less abundant in acidic soils, so in theory reducing the soil pH (acidification) should help to reduce a worm cast problem. Reducing food sources such as clippings and fallen leaves and top dressing with sand have also been suggested as methods of reducing earthworm numbers.
If you've noticed a sudden influx in the number of worm casts on your lawn, it's probably due to a change in weather. Earthworms thrive in damp weather which is why your lawn might be covered in worm casts during autumn and damp winter months.
Worm mounds in soil are just concentrated nutrients and cause no harm to most plants. Worm castings in lawn areas, however, cause more of an issue. They make the turf lumpy and uneven, and the grass around the area yellows and dies. This is due to the extreme concentration of nutrients, which burn the grass.
As worms wiggle beneath your yard's surface, they consume soil, microorganisms, and organic matter. The material passes through the worm's digestive system and exits as waste, also known as worm castings.
But after a rain, the soil pores and the worm burrows fill with water. Oxygen diffuses about a thousand times slower through water than through air, she says. “The worms can't get enough oxygen when the soil is flooded, so they come to the surface to breathe.”
Worm castings can last up to 6 months – and sometimes longer – depending on the method of storage. Keeping them out of UV light (e.g. the sun and some grow lights) and at a stable temperature helps them last longer.
Iron Sulphate is often used in the late autumn through to spring period to suppress WORM CASTS on the lawn, particularly if it is a very wet autumn.
If you do happen to have these guys in your lawns soil, it means that you have a good amount of organic material and nutrients in your soil. When there is an increased amount of moisture within the soil earthworms will rise to the surface and leave a casting. These are also known as mud balls on top of the soil.
This is because they break down as they release their nutrients and become incorporated into the ground. Depending on environmental conditions, they can take between 20 to 25 days to break down entirely. That is why it is recommended to give plants worm castings once a month.
Castings can be harvested anywhere from two and a half months to every six months, depending on how many worms you have and how much food you're giving them.
During Spring and again in Autumn, or times of increased moisture, earthworms will rise to the surface and start leaving castings also known as mud balls. Castings are small mounds of worm excrement or digested organic matter, which is beneficial for your lawn.
When there are too many earthworms in the soil that a lawn grows from, their castings will actually start to burn the lawn due to the overabundance of fertilizer. That is when it is time to practice some proper pest control by using some earthworm management techniques.
There are numerous opportunities to use worm castings in the garden: add some to your seedling start mix, when filling a new raised garden bed with soil, directly in the planting hole when transplanting seedlings into the garden, sprinkled on top of soil (lightly scratched in) after planting, or around the base of ...
You still need to use fertilizer if you use worm castings. This will ensure that all your plants' nutritional needs are met. But be sure to measure which nutrients your plants actually need! Don't just apply a high-dose complete fertilizer since the plants will only take up the nutrients it needs.
Worm castings are considered a slow-release fertilizer.
As organic matter passes through the worm, a bit of oil is deposited into it. This slows down the nutrient release in the castings to happen over a span of roughly two months.
Differences Between Worm Castings and Manure
Also, the worm castings are more nutrient-rich and have higher organic matter levels. It is more cost-effective to use worm compost as a fertilizer than manure. Worm composting provides more crop yield when applied to the plants as it has more soluble nutrients.
With worm castings, nutrients are released gradually, providing nourishment for approximately 2 months. However, you cannot harm a plant with an overdose of worm castings, while it is quite easy to kill plants by accidentally giving them too much fertilizer.
Bat guano is an excellent source of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, all very important for your plants to thrive. Guano is also a good soil conditioner, both enriching the soil and improving drainage and texture, much like worm castings.
Storing worm castings is easy. Just put them in a non-airtight container with the lid slightly ajar, or with a couple holes drilled into the lid for airflow. Next, lightly spray the castings with water every few days to keep them from drying out.
Worm castings can be slightly irritating if they contact the skin, so taking precautions is wise. It's also crucial that children not handle the worm castings. Wash your hands after handling the compost and before eating or touching any other part of your body as well.
Stir very gently so you do not hurt the worms. Bedding should be an even level of moisture, with no dry or wet clumps. Break up wet clumps.