I’ve transformed my Winter garden with a £6.49 bag of ‘black gold’
PEAT FREE. Two words to worry growers and gardeners.
Not because we agree with the destruction of historical peat bogs – of course we don’t.
But because some of the peat free compost out there on the market is so far, well, a bit questionable.
When I met no-dig legend Charles Dowding, and he told me about how transformative worm casts can be in compost – I needed to find out more.
We’re not talking about the earthworms’ annoying pile-ups on your lawn that need to be raked regularly.
Worm castings coming onto the market now – either pure or mixed with compost – can supposedly increase yield and boost plant growth and rooting.
Pioneering Urban Wyrm director Ashley Day, told Sun Gardening: “Worm castings, often referred to as “black gold,” are becoming increasingly popular in the realm of organic gardening — and for good reason.
“These nutrient-packed droppings from composting worms are a powerhouse when it comes to enhancing plant growth and improving soil health.
“Worm casts are teeming with live bacteria and a rich array of microbes that work to break down organic matter in your soil.
“By incorporating worm casts, you’re effectively adding a boost of natural fertiliser, helping plants access the nutrients they need for stronger roots, lush foliage, and increased yields.”
He added: “It’s great for your winter garden. It has the perfect structure to form a mulch along with the tonnes of microbial benefits which will support the soils condition.
“Over winter and the colder months it will really enhance the soils nutritional condition along with the consistency, ready for the following season.”
Urban Wyrm, who’s factory is in North Yorkshire, only started selling products earlier this year.
November gardening jobs
The Sun’s Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, shares the tasks to do this month.
Get your garlic in a sunny spot of ground, and you can also plant sweet peas and cut and come again lettuce to see you over the Winter.
Depending on where you live – think about protecting your more tender plants – one brutal frost can set you back psychologically and financially. I’ve had success with plastic cloches which can look nice on smaller plants rather than the bulky fleece. But for plants like bananas, cut them back and wrap them up.
If all the leaves are off your apple tree, you could consider cutting it back. The usual dead, diseased, damaged and crossing branches should be pruned. It will open the tree up and encourage strong Spring growth.
You can either prune your roses the usual way, by cutting off side stems and tying in – or experiment like Niff Barnes – and create incredible sculptures by stripping all the leaves and bending the main framework into swirls and shapes. Its also a good time to take cuttings.
Hellebores are great winter cover – get them in the ground now – along with bright cyclamen for splashes of colour.
Clean your greenhouse – wipe down all the panes – fairy liquid and water is absolutely fine – and work up a sweat by giving it a good tidy and sort out before it’s too cold to be out there too long.
Sounds simple but rake your lawn regularly – you don’t want the grass to die back under mounds of old rotting leaves. Keep the leaves to make leaf mould.
But it’s already won two top sustainability awards alongside compost expert Growmoor.
I’ve tried it – and it feels like velvet instead of the rougher, drier, more common peat free available.
Founder Chris Holgreaves added: “I used to produce worms for the angling trade.
THE BENEFITS OF WORM CASTS
According to Urban Wyrm director Ashley Day - pictured here with Charles Dowding - worm casts....
- Improve Soil Structure: Worm castings help to aggregate soil particles, creating a crumbly, well-aerated soil that encourages root growth and water infiltration.
- Water Retention: The organic matter in worm castings holds moisture like a sponge, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- pH Balance: Worm castings tend to neutralize soil pH, bringing overly acidic or alkaline soils back to a more neutral range, which is ideal for most plants.
- Disease suppression: Clive Edwards and his team at the University of Ohio proved the microbial power of vermicompost suppresses plant diseases by showing that the suppressiveness was lost when worm casts were sterilised.
“I gave some worm casts to my dad for his roses and the results he got were absolutely phenomenal.”
“When the worms actually chew the food and go through the soil, they’re coating each granule with these really beneficial enzymes and microorganisms.
“And it’s those which the plant thrives on from a very early stage, all the way from germinating seed to planting out.
“After four weeks, the worms are sieved out and then the soil will go through the trommel and then another sieve.
“And that’s where you end up with the really pure, fine worm cast, which is what we’re now combining into other Growmoor compost and selling as a pure range in the pouches.
“There’s evidence to prove that worm casts increase resistance to pests and diseases. Another benefit is their ability to hold moisture – so they’re particularly useful in drier conditions or for plants that require consistent watering.
“It really is a game changer.”
ALSO IN VERONICA'S COLUMN THIS WEEK
Top tips, job of the week and a fabulous competition.
TIP! As temperatures drop there’s a few garden items that really do need to be stored properly. Storage expert Sarah Day from Pay Less for Storage told Sun Gardening:
- Terracotta Pots are porous and will crack as water seeps in, freezes, and expands. Store them somewhere dry.
- Hoses: Freezing water inside will crack and damage hoses. Disconnect, drain, and coil for safe storage.
- Metal Tools: Carefully clean and oil, then wrap in an old hessian sack or dust sheet and store somewhere dry.
- Garden Equipment: Anything with a motor should be emptied of fuel to prevent condensation in the tank, which harms the engine.
- Liquid Fertilisers and Other Chemicals: Freezing can alter the effectiveness and safety of many gardening chemicals. Protect from extreme temperatures.
- Seeds and Spring Bulbs: Too damp – they’ll rot, freeze – they won’t survive planting in spring. Store them in a cool but dry area inside your home.
TIP! To attract some Christmassy Robin Redbreasts to your garden, follow these tips from Maria Kincaid, the head ornithologist at FeatherSnap.
- Robins prefer to forage closer to the ground so place bird food in a low container or feeder under a tree.
- They absolutely love Mealworms.
- Cat proof your garden.
- Create a wild foraging corner as Robins are avid foragers – like piled up leaves, to attract the invertebrates that they love.
- Offer a water source – bird baths are like pit stops.
- Provide shelter from the cold like a little nesting box or small logpile.
TIP! Just remember if you’ve got a dog and you’re planting bulbs – then there’s a few you need to keep them away from. Bluebells, Amaryllis, tulips, daffodils and Hyacinths can all cause problems at the bulb or flower stage.
SAVE! The leaves are STILL falling – sort it with Toolstation’s Bulldog Springbok Rake for £22, or go for Homebase Large Garden Rake at £9.
WIN! We have an almighty £200 Houseplant bundle for you – from our friends at Westland. It includes houseplant potting mix, mist and leaf shine, droplet feeders, liquid feed, orchid potting mix, orchid water, mist, droplets and water, cacti and succulent mix and feed, citrus potting mix and feed, an indoor watering can and much more. To enter, fill in this form – or for more details visit www.thesun.co.uk/WESTLANDHOUSE . Or write to Sun Westland Houseplant competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Ends 30.59GMT 14.12.24 T&Cs apply.
TOP TIP! If you have squirrels in your garden and want to plant tulips – sprinkle a little cayenne pepper or chilli powder on the bulb before you replace the soil. This should deter them from digging them up.
JOB OF THE WEEK Put a ring of farmyard manure round the base of your roses – but make sure it’s not touching. The goodness will soak down and into the roots without damaging the stems
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