How To Apply Worm Castings

TYPE OF PLANT OR AREA 

NEW PLANTING 

ESTABLISHED PLANTS 

ONGOING CARE

Garden  

Vegetables,  

Annuals, and  

Perennials

Place ½ -1 cup worm castings in the planting hole and mix with soil when the plant is set out.

Work 1-2 cups worm  

castings into the top 2 to 3  inches of soil around each plant. Water well.

Side dress plants during 

the growing season at a rate of ½ cup per plant or 1 cup per linear foot of row once every 2  months.

Raised Bed 

Vegetables, 

Annuals, and  

Perennials

Mix 1 part worm castings with 3 parts soil as a  

planting medium. Add plants and water well.

Work ½ cup worm castings into the top 2-3 inches of soil around each plant and water well.

Side dress each plant with ¼ cup worm castings each month during the growing season. Work into top few inches of soil & water well.

Planters 

and 

Potted Plants

Mix 1 part worm castings with 4 parts soil as a  

planting medium. Add plants and water well.

Work 1-2 inches of worm castings into the top few inches of soil. Water well.

Side dress each plant with 2-3  Tbsp of worm castings every  2-3 months. Work into the top few inches of soil. Water well.

Trees 

Shrubs 

Berry Bushes

Mix 1 part worm castings to 3 parts soil. Place plant in hole and water well.

Apply 2 lbs worm castings  per inch of trunk diameter.  Work evenly into the soil  

around the root area. Water well.

Apply 1-2 lbs worm castings per inch of trunk diameter around the drip edge of the plant. Work into the soil. Apply in early spring and fall.

Lawns

Apply 20-30 pounds of worm castings per 1000  square feet. Work lightly into the top of the lawn and  water well.

Apply 15-20 pounds per  1000 square feet as a top dressing.

Top dress lawns at the rate of  10-15 pounds per 1000 square feet in early spring and  

fall. Water well.

Amending Garden  Soil

Apply 1-2 inches of worm castings on the garden area, then work gently into the soil. Moisten well. 

Compost Piles 

Spread a thin layer of castings between each new layer of material to be composted.  Moisten well. 

Germinating or  Sowing Seeds

In Garden Beds: 

Line planting row with ½ -1 inch worm  castings and mix with soil. Place seeds in-furrow, cover with soil and water well.

In Seed Trays or Planting, Pots: 

Use 1 part worm castings to 4 parts seed  starting mix. Place seeds, cover with soil, and  keep moist.