I transformed my winter garden with a £6.49 bag of ‘black gold’
PEAT FREE. Two words that growers and gardeners are concerned about.
Not because we agree with the destruction of historic peatlands; Of course we don’t do that.
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But because some of the peat-free compost available on the market is a bit questionable so far.
When I met the no-dig legend Charles Dowdingand he told me about how transformative worm castings can be in compost – I had to know more.
We’re not talking about the annoying build-ups of earthworms on your lawn that require regular raking.
Worm fertilizer that is now coming onto the market – pure or mixed with compost – could increase yields and stimulate plant growth and rooting.
Groundbreaking Urban Wyrm director Ashley Day, told Sun Gardening: “Worm castings, often referred to as ‘black gold’, are becoming increasingly popular in the field of organic gardening – and for good reason.
“These nutrient-packed droppings from compost worms are a powerhouse when it comes to improving plant growth and improving soil health.
“Worm castings are full of living bacteria and a rich array of microbes that break down the organic material in your soil.
“By adding worm castings you effectively add a boost of natural fertilizer, helping plants access the nutrients they need for stronger roots, lush foliage and higher yields.”
He added: “It’s great for your winter garden. It has the perfect structure to form a mulch, along with the tons of microbial benefits that will support soil conditions.
“During the winter and colder months it will really improve the nutritional status of the soil and its consistency, ready for the next season.”
Urban Wyrmwhose factory is in North Yorkshire, only started selling products earlier this year.
Garden work in November
Veronica Lorraine, The Sun’s garden editor, shares the tasks you need to do this month.
Plant your garlic in the ground in a sunny spot, and you can also plant sweet peas and bring along romaine lettuce to get you through the winter.
Depending on where you live (think about protecting your more sensitive plants), one brutal frost can set you back psychologically and financially. I have had success with plastic cloches that can look nice on smaller plants instead of the thick membrane. But for plants like bananas, cut them back and wrap them.
Once all the leaves are off your apple tree, you can consider pruning it back. The usual dead, diseased, damaged and crossing branches should be pruned. It will open the tree and encourage strong spring growth.
You can prune your roses in the usual way, by cutting and tying off the side stems – or experiment like Niff Barnes – and create incredible sculptures by stripping all the leaves and bending the main frame into swirls and shapes. It is also a good time to take cuttings.
Helleborus makes a great winter cover. Now plant them in the ground, together with bright cyclamen for color accents.
Clean out your greenhouse – wipe down all the windows – fairy liquid and water are fine – and work up a sweat by tidying it up and sorting it out before it’s too cold to stay out there for too long.
Sounds simple, but rake your lawn regularly. You don’t want the grass to die under piles of old rotting leaves. Save the leaves to make leaf mold.
But it has already won two top prizes in the field of sustainability together with the compost expert Growmoor.
I tried it – and it feels like velvet rather than the rougher, drier, more common peat-free material available.
Founder Chris Holgreaves added: “I used to produce worms for angling.
THE BENEFITS OF WORM BIDDING
According to Urban Wyrm director Ashley Day – pictured here with Charles Dowding – worm castings….
- Improve the soil structure: Worm castings help bind soil particles together, creating a crumbly, well-aerated soil that encourages root growth and water infiltration.
- Water retention: The organic material in worm castings retains moisture like a sponge, meaning water is needed less often.
- pH balance: Worm castings tend to neutralize soil pH, bringing overly acidic or alkaline soils back into a more neutral range, which is ideal for most plants.
- Disease Suppression: Clive Edwards and his team at Ohio University proved that the microbial power of vermicompost suppresses plant diseases by showing that the suppressive power was lost when worm castings were sterilized.
“I gave my dad some worm castings for his roses and the results he got were absolutely phenomenal.”
“When the worms actually chew the food and pass through the soil, they cover every grain with these very beneficial enzymes and microorganisms.
“And they are the plants that the plant thrives on from a very early stage, from seed germination to planting out.
“After four weeks, the worms are sieved out and then the soil goes through the drum and then another sieve.
“And that’s where you get the really clean, fine cast of worms, which we are now combining into others Growmoor compost and sell as a pure assortment in bags.
“There are indications that worms increase resistance to diseases and pests. Another benefit is their ability to retain moisture, making them especially useful in drier conditions or for plants that need consistent water.
“It really is a game changer.”
ALSO IN VERONICA’S COLUMN THIS WEEK
Top tips, course of the week and a fantastic competition.
TIP! As temperatures drop, there are a few garden items that really need to be stored properly. Storage expert Sarah Day from Pay less for storage told Sun Gardening:
- Terracotta pots are porous and will crack if water seeps in, freezes and expands. Store them somewhere dry.
- Hoses: Freezing water inside will crack and damage hoses. Disconnect, deflate and coil for safe storage.
- Metal tools: clean and oil carefully, then wrap in an old burlap bag or dust sheet and store in a dry place.
- Garden equipment: Anything with an engine should be drained of fuel to prevent condensation in the tank, which can damage the engine.
- Liquid fertilizers and other chemicals: Freezing can change the effectiveness and safety of many garden chemicals. Protect from extreme temperatures.
- Seeds and spring bulbs: Too moist – they will rot, freeze – they will not survive spring planting. Store them in a cool but dry place in your home.
TIP! To attract some Christmassy Robin Redbreasts to your garden, follow these tips from Maria Kincaid, the chief ornithologist at FeatherSnap.
- Robins prefer to forage closer to the ground, so place the 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 gatherers, like piled leaves to attract the invertebrates they love.
- Offer a water source; birdbaths are like pit stops.
- Provide shelter from the cold, such as a small nest box or a small tree trunk.
TIP! Remember, if you have a dog and are planting flower bulbs, there are some things you should keep them away from. Bluebells, amaryllis, tulips, daffodils and hyacinths can all cause problems in the bulb or flower stage.
TO RESCUE! The leaves are STILL falling – sort it with Toolstation Bulldog Springbok rake for £22, or go for Homebase Large garden rake for £9.
WIN! We’ve got a great £200 houseplant bundle for you – from our friends at Westland. It includes indoor plant potting mix, mist and leaf shine, drip feeders, liquid food, orchid potting mix, orchid water, mist, drops and water, cacti and succulent mix and food, citrus potting mix and food, an indoor watering can and much more. . To enter, complete this form – or for more information visit www.thesun.co.uk/WESTLANDHOUSE. Or write to the Sun Westland Houseplant Competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Please include your name, age, email address or telephone number. UK residents 18+ only. Ends 30.59GMT. 14.12.24 General terms and conditions apply.
TOP TIP! If you have squirrels in your garden and want to plant tulips, sprinkle a little cayenne pepper or chili powder on the bulb before replacing the soil. This should deter them from digging them up.
VACANCY OF THE WEEK Place a ring of muck around the base of your roses, but make sure it doesn’t touch each other. The goodness will penetrate the roots without damaging the stems
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