Are you unsure how long worm castings last? Maybe you have some leftovers and don’t know how long you can keep them for? Or are you curious about worm castings and want to know more? No matter what the reason is that brought you here, we have the answers for you!
Finding out how long worm castings last can be tricky, especially if you have never had leftovers before. You head online for some guidance but are met with pages and pages of conflicting and contradicting answers.
Disappointed and overwhelmed, you are left unsure where to turn or who to trust. What do you do with your leftover castings?
Well, have no fear, we are here to save the day! Keep reading to find out how long worm castings last and to get some tips on what you can do with your leftover castings. By the end of our article today, you will become a worm castings expert!
What Is Worm Castings?
Before we dive into today’s article, let’s have a brief recap for those that need it! Worm castings are an organic form of fertilizer made by earthworms. It is also known as vermicompost and are heaps of muddy soil that is ejected from the digestive tract of earthworms.
It looks like heaps of earthworms and can be used as fertilizer in your garden. Worm castings can be harvested easily from your worm bin, you can just scoop them out yourself! Worm castings come with nutrients that can be added to your garden, helping to fertilize it and improve the condition of your soil.
Now that we have established what worm castings are, let’s dive in deeper to see how long they last and what you can use them for.
How Long Do Worm Castings Last?
Worm castings can last for up to three years providing that you store them correctly. However, it is best to use them as soon as possible! This is because the bacteria in worm castings will consume the organic matter. Over time, the matter will be worn away, and there won’t be any benefit to your worm castings!
You don’t want to let them go to waste, so be sure to use any leftover worm castings you have as soon as possible.
You can still use your worm castings, even beyond the three year shelf life, but it won’t have the same benefits. We have used it as mulch and in potted plants, but it does not achieve the same results that regular worm castings do.
How To Store Worm Castings
For your worm castings to last as long as possible, you need to store them correctly. Thankfully, it isn’t too hard to store worm castings. All you need is a container that is not airtight.
Put your worm castings into the container and place the lid on, keeping it slightly ajar. You will also want a few holes drilled into the lid. This helps to keep air flowing through the container.
When storing your worm castings, you don’t want them to dry out. You will want to spray your worm castings with water every few days to prevent them from drying out. You don’t need to use a lot of water for this, they only need to be lightly sprayed.
Keep your worm castings somewhere without extreme temperatures. You want them to be in a space with the same temperature where possible. Doing so will help to keep the castings in good condition for as long as possible.
You can also store your castings with a couple of worms if you wish, but this is not essential.
What Can I Do With Leftover Worm Castings?
If you want to use your leftover worm castings instead of storing them, there are a few things you can do with them!
You can give your leftover castings to family or friends if they have a use for them. This prevents them from going to waste and ensures that the castings will be used while they are still fresh.
You can also sell your leftover castings. This can seem like a lot of hassle, but you will be surprised by the level of interest that you have! The easiest way we have found to sell the castings is to post a listing on social media.
That way you can sell them to someone in your local area and don’t need to worry about the cost of postage and packaging materials.
Make sure that you state on the listing that the castings are for collection only. You can also post them if you wish, but you will need to sort out postage costs and find a suitable method to package them.
Another option is to give the castings away through social media. That way, you don’t need to worry about setting a price for the castings. You can simply post the listing and allow people to come and fill carrier bags full of your leftover castings±
Finally, you can also turn your castings into worm tea. This can be given away or sold as a liquid fertilizer. This might be more appealing to people that don’t want to handle worm castings or are new to the world of fertilizer.
Again, make sure you state on the listing that people will need to collect to avoid any delivery issues.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it! Worm castings can last for up to three years, but it is best to be used as soon as possible. Over time, the bacteria in castings can eat away at the natural matter, rendering your worm castings useless.
Thankfully, there are many uses for leftover castings if you want to get rid of them, such as gifting them or selling them online. And if you do have leftover castings, they can be stored easily allowing you to have some back up worm castings should you need them.