Boulder Vermicomposting

Worm casting seed balls

November 21st, 2008

From the_worm_bin comes this interesting idea of creating seed balls with worm castings. I think it’s great because, in addition to all the benefits from seed balls (protecting the seeds from birds, letting the seeds that are appropriate for the given environment sprout, etc) you’re providing the plants with worm castings, a powerful fertilizer, to jump start their growth.

To go this route, start with heirloom veggies. There are lots of companies that sell heirloom seeds. I would make a mini worm bin when the tomatoes come in next summer. Feed several ripe tomatoes to the worms, then dry the castings and store for the next season. Make seed balls and replant in the spring.

I wonder what else the worms will leave behind? It should be a neat process and a cool way to save seeds.

Karon suggested this after several people mentioned that tomato plants were popping up in their worm bins. This also shows why vermicomposting weeds is a bad idea–worms just don’t break down all seeds. I’ve had other plants ‘volunteer’ from my worm castings, including pumpkins and melons.

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