Worm Castings from Californian Worms: Why Vermicompost Is the Black Gold of the Garden

I like these little worms. They turn something we would otherwise throw away into fertile, living and loose soil. If there is one fertiliser that can truly change the way plants start growing, it is vermicompost from Californian worms.

What Do Californian Worms Eat?

So, what do worms eat? Red Californian worms can feed on kitchen and garden waste. They love decomposing organic matter and turn it into rich organic fertiliser.

You can give them:

• vegetable peels;
• fruit peels;
• crushed eggshells;
• used tea bags;
• coffee grounds;
• grass clippings;
• dry leaves;
• other plant-based organic waste.

How Red Californian Worms Live

Red worms breathe through their skin. They have no lungs, ears or eyes. They also have no bones, and their bodies consist mostly of water.

That is why moisture is very important. If their skin stays dry for too long, the worms die. When keeping them, you need to maintain constant high humidity, but without turning the bedding into a swamp.

They feel best at temperatures of around 13–30°C. They can tolerate more extreme conditions, but in freezing temperatures there is a risk that they may die.

Why Vermicompost Is So Valuable

The food processed by the worms turns into a priceless complex fertiliser. This is an organic fertiliser created in one of the most natural ways possible.

Vermicompost contains a balanced complex of macronutrients, micronutrients, beneficial bacteria and microorganisms. It does not simply feed the plants — it also supports life in the soil.

In addition, worms reproduce quickly and can be good food for animals, birds and fish. But for the garden, the most valuable thing remains what they produce — loose, dark and rich organic fertiliser.

How Worm Castings Are Produced

Vermicompost farms are usually loaded with fresh manure. After that, the worms begin their work. In about a year or a year and a half, the organic matter gradually turns into dark, loose and fertile “black gold”.

The worms are separated from the finished compost by removing the upper layer, where the food and active worms are found. Then they are moved to a new farm.

The finished organic fertiliser is separated, dried and sifted. The resulting vermicompost is a very valuable addition to soil mixes for vegetables, flowers, roses, potted plants and raised beds.

How Vermicompost Helps the Soil

The reserves of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium and other useful elements in vermicompost are much higher than in ordinary soil. Even more importantly, they are released gradually.

During digestion, worms release beneficial bacteria and amino acids that support soil regeneration. Vermicompost makes the soil looser, more airy and more alive.

It improves structure, brings more air into the soil and creates an environment where beneficial microorganisms work better. As a result, plants develop a stronger root system and start growing more vigorously.

My Experience with Californian Worm Castings in the Garden

I found a producer of this fertiliser and added large quantities to the raised beds. The soil remained loose, aerated and alive. I became convinced of its benefits during the very first season.

For comparison, I planted tomato and physalis seedlings in beds enriched with Californian worm compost and in the old, unenriched soil in the garden. The difference was huge.

In the beds with vermicompost, the plants looked almost like mutants — they sprouted faster, were healthier, and the fruits became large, tasty and brightly coloured. I did not need to add any other soil improvers.

I observed the same thing with roses. The bare-root roses in whose planting holes I added plenty of Californian worm castings all took successfully. With the others, the result was around 50%.

When It Is Worth Investing in Vermicompost

If you are about to fill raised beds or create a new vegetable garden, soil enriched with Californian worm castings is a very good initial investment.

Retail prices in hypermarkets are often high. However, if you look for a producer nearby, you may be able to negotiate a better price for a larger quantity.

The effect of this organic fertiliser can last for years. So think big. You will know what you have fed your plants with, and you will get a clean, strong and tasty harvest.

Unfortunately, we do not produce that much compost ourselves, otherwise I would keep red Californian worms at home. They are quiet, useful and work without a day off — the ideal helpers for every gardener.