Spring is just around the corner, and for many of us that means it’s time to start thinking about planting our gardens. Starting seeds indoors can be a great way to get a head start on the growing season, but it’s important to use high-quality soil to ensure healthy plants. One option is to use vermicompost in your soil mix.
What is Vermicompost?
Vermicompost is compost that has been created using worms. The worms break down organic matter – such as food scraps and yard waste – into nutrient-rich castings that make an excellent fertilizer for plants. Vermicompost is often referred to as “black gold” because of its ability to improve soil health and plant growth.
Benefits of Adding Vermicompost in Seed Starting Mix of Soil
When you use vermicompost in your soil mix, you are providing your seedlings with a wealth of nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium. This can help promote strong root development and overall plant health.
In addition to providing essential nutrients, vermicompost also improves soil structure by increasing its water-holding capacity and improving drainage. This can be especially beneficial for starting seeds indoors where proper moisture levels are crucial.
Finally, using vermicompost in your soil mix can also help suppress diseases and pests. The beneficial fungi and microorganisms found in vermicompost help keep harmful pathogens at bay while promoting a healthy microbial community in the soil.
How to Use Vermicompost in Your Soil Mix
To use vermicompost in your soil mix for starting seeds indoors, simply mix it with other ingredients such as peat moss or coconut coir, perlite or vermiculite, and a small amount of garden soil if desired. Aim for a mixture that is light and fluffy but still retains moisture well.
Use this mixture to fill seed trays or individual containers as needed. Plant your seeds according to package instructions and keep them moist until they germinate. Once the seedlings have emerged, continue watering with care until they are ready to transplant into larger containers or outside into the garden.
Where to find Vermicompost
Get your vermicompost from Worm Wrangler HERE. If you are interested in producing your own vermicompost, check out a workshop on how to vermicompost, or follow the how-to vermicompost blog posts and get your red wiggler worms from Worm Wrangler.
Conclusion
Using vermicompost in your soil mix when starting seeds indoors can be an easy way to boost plant health while also reducing waste by recycling kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich compost. With its many benefits including improved nutrition, water retention and pest control, it’s definitely worth considering adding this “black gold” to your gardening routine this spring!
If you’ve found this helpful, follow Worm Wrangler on Facebook and Instagram! And, let me know if there is any way I can support you in your vermicompost adventure: info@wormwrangler.org