| ||
| ||
|
Landscaping & Gardening Information | home | site map | contact us |
|
Earthworm Friends in the Garden
Earthworms are a gardener's best friend. Research has shown that earthworm excrement, also calledcastings or vermicompost, improves the aeration, porosity,structure, drainage, and moisture-holding capacity of soil. Many studies prove that when compared to conventionalcomposts, vermicompost is less variable and much morestable. Mixing vermicompost into the planting mediumessentially eliminated the need for additional fertilizer inthe production of tomato plugs as one example. Studies show that earthworm castings increase height, stemdiameter, enhance root growth, increase dry weight, andproduce more flowers per plant than peat moss. Redworm castings are the richest and purest humus matter inthe world. Humus is believed to aid in the prevention ofharmful plant pathogens, fungi, nematodes and bacteria. One pound of worms can convert one pound of pig manure intocompost in 48 hours! Worms consume three times their weight a week or more. Redwrigglers are very active, reproduce quickly and consumetheir own body weight of waste every 24 hours. Therefore tenpounds of worms will eat ten pounds of waste in 24 hours! Worm castings provide a rich source of a variety ofessential plant nutrients. Microbial activity in worm castings is 10 to 20 times higherthan in the soil and organic matter that the worm ingests." How to use worm castings: When planting vegetable and annuals line the rows and holeswith about two inches of castings. About every eight weeksside dress the plants with one-half cup of castings perplant or one cup per foot of row. For perennials work one-half cup of castings into the soilin the spring, middle of summer, and early fall. For pots and hanging baskets add one-half inch castings tothe top and water in. Then reapply every eight weeks. Roses appreciate four cups of castings per plant. If starting a new lawn add 15 pounds of casting per 100square feet when sowing. Once established use seven poundsper 100 square feet. For more information about vermicompost and castings visit: http://www.apluswriting.net/garden/earthworm.htm REQUIREMENTS FOR REPRINT: You have permission to publishthis article free of charge in your e-zine, newsletter,ebook, print publication or on your website ONLY if itremains unchanged and you include the copyright and authorinformation (Resource Box) at the end. You may not usethis article in any unsolicited commercial email (spam). Copyright: 2005 Marilyn Pokorney Please leave the resource box intact with an active link,and send a courtesy copy of the publication in which thearticle appears to: marilynp@nctc.net Author: Marilyn PokorneyFreelance writer of science, nature, animals and theenvironment.Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
MORE RESOURCES: Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Marsh Marigold The bright yellow flowers of the marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) are easy to mistake for the cowslip (primula veris). Both are widespread over Europe, Asia, and the U. The Benefits of Landscaping How much have you thought about landscaping? Do you know that a beautiful and well put together lawn has many benefits? Landscaping is lawn art and, like any other art form, it takes time, patience, and research to get your methods just right. So, what other benefits does landscaping provide besides just being "pretty"?Firstly, landscaping can add value to your home and surrounding property. A Teak Bench: The Perfect Complement To Any Outdoor Space Are you searching for that perfect bench to set off your garden or outdoor space? Do you desire furnishings that can be both exquisite and durable? Do you want something unique, a spectacular piece of furniture that the neighbors will brag about? If so, you might find exactly what you are looking for in a teak bench.Teak benches are highly sought after due to the beauty and durability of each piece. Using Push Reel Mowers If you're not familiar with push reel mowers or if you haven't used one since "back in the day", there are a few points you should be aware of before using a push reel mower:Don't expect to cut tall weeds or dandelions. You notice how your gas-powered mowers get a little "overwhelmed" when cutting weeds or very tall grass? Those issues are a bit worse with reel mowers because they become harder to push and they are limited in the height of what they can cut. Gardening - Natural Science NOT Rocket Science Don't force yourself out of the most profitable hobby in the universe because you think it's too hard to learn .. The Garden As Healer The word for 'paradise' comes from the Persian word for a garden and has always meant the same thing in every culture. It is representative of 'paradise on earth' and is our opportunity to own a little bit of heaven - here and now. Tuberous Begonias If you appreciate plants that have no hesitation in boldly stating their presence with huge, almost artificially perfect flowers, then tuberous begonias are for you. While some may find them rather too overstated, downright brazen even, if you like colour, and plenty of it, with subtlety an option rather than compulsory, then look no further. Wild Flower Garden - Recreate the Splendor of Nature in Your Own Backyard A few years ago I made the decision to create a wild flower garden within my existing garden. I had been working to develop a more earth friendly approach to my garden, trying different options for fertilizing and pest and weed control. Delavays Blueberry (Vaccinium delavayi) Whether we know it or not, most of us are familiar with the genus Vaccinium as it has among its members several current or potential commercial crops, such as blueberry, cranberry, bilberry and huckleberry. Vaccinium delavayi, however, is strictly ornamental and very unlikely to be our next export success. About Hummingbirds and How to Attract Them to Your Garden Visualize watching a bright green hummingbird in your garden moving from flower to flower in search of the tasty nectar within. These beautiful and tiny birds weigh about 2 to 20 grams and are found in a wide variety of environments from the high Andes to lowlands, and from dry desert areas to rainforests. Turn Your Patio Into A Voluminous Vegetable Garden My first apartment was a second-story condo in an urban complex, far displaced from the groomed suburban landscapes and sprawling gardens I had grown up with. My only connection to the outdoors was a small porch, surrounded by brown siding and a fading carpet of artificial turf. How to Rid that Lawn of Thatch! You know that brown patchy debris in a lawn that accumulates ontop of the soil but below the grass line? That's thatch.Thatch consist of grass clippings, grass stems, roots, and otherdebris that either decomposes or accumulates on a lawn over time. Garden Delights For Midsummer We have once again reached the wonderful magical time of midsummer, when the garden is aglow with sensational blooms and a fantastic array of colors. Many of these wonderful blooms fill the air with their tantalising perfume. Plan Before Buying Rose Bushes So, you have decided to plant rose bushes in your yard or on your patio, porch or balcony. Now all you have to do is go out and buy some bushes and plant them. 10 Free Gardening Products One of the pleasurable spin-offs in organic gardening is finding alternative ways of coming up with the same, if not better, end result.. Flowers That Beautify Your Home and Garden To help gardeners choose flowers, various systems for rating hardiness have been developed. A plant is considered hardy in a region if it can grow and thrive there without requiring special protective measures such as insulating with straw mulch. A Garden Pond in Your Landscape - Want Water in Your Yard? A Garden Pond in your Landscape - Want Water in your Yard?Thought about adding a garden pond? Should you?Here are the pros and cons to consider:On the pro side:A garden pond adds an entirely new dimension to your garden!Where before the living things were limited to plant life,the pond will have fish (must does not need to).The water will attract birds and other animals which makefor wonderful watching and viewing. Secrets of Growing Killer Tomatoes Tomatoes have always been my favorite garden vegetable to grow and to eat. I have had success with the other standard garden vegetables, such as cucumbers, bell peppers, cauliflower etc. 5 Pieces of Equipment Gardeners Cant Live Without Gardening is fun and rewarding and may be considered a hobby, talent or both and sometimes it's just luck. Gardening is not as easy as it looks and involves dedication, time and consistency and many trials and errors. Dog Days of Summer Here are a few tips to keep your garden and a few specific problems from getting away from you during the month of August gardening. Your lawn, again usually three things or any combination of them may be the culprit(s) for making your lawn or patches of your lawn turn brown.
|
| home | site map | contact us |