FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
At Arukah Worm Farm, we believe that healthy soil leads to healthy plants and a healthier planet. Whether you're new to gardening or a seasoned grower, it's natural to have questions about how worm castings work, how to use them, and how they support your garden's well-being. This FAQ page is here to guide you through the basics and benefits of using our all-natural, regenerative soil amendments. If you don't see your question here, feel free to reach out, we're happy to help!
What does Arukah mean? And how does it apply to worm castings?
Arukah is a Hebrew word meaning "restoration to soundness or wholeness" often used in the context of healing, renewal, and well-being. At our worm farm, we believe that healthy soil is the foundation for a thriving ecosystem. Worm castings embody this idea by restoring soil health, rejuvenating plant life, and bringing balance back to your garden. Just as Arukah speaks to renewal, our castings help bring new life to struggling soil and plants.
What are worm castings?
Worm castings, also known as vermicast, are the nutrient-rich waste produced by earthworms as they digest organic matter. They're often referred to as "black gold" because of their high concentration of beneficial microbes, minerals, and plant-available nutrients. Castings improve soil structure, enhance moisture retention, and promote healthy root development.
How do I use worm castings?
Worm castings can be applied in several ways:
Top dressing: Sprinkle a thin layer around the base of your plants and water it in. This is the simplest method and the one we recommend for most people.
Soil amendment: Mix them into your garden soil or potting mix before planting.
Compost tea: Steep castings in water to create a liquid fertilizer for foliar spraying or root watering.
Use about 1/4 cup per houseplant, and more for larger garden plants and beds.
How often should I use worm castings?
Top dress every 4 to 6 weeks. Sprinkle around the stem, water it in, and let the soil do the rest.
Indoor plants: every 4 to 6 weeks, all year round. Houseplants don't have a dormant season the way a garden does.
Outdoor plants and gardens: every 4 to 6 weeks through the growing season, roughly spring through autumn. Once the ground freezes there's nothing for the microbes to do, so pick it back up in spring.
Either way there's no risk of overdoing it. Castings won't burn your plants.
Are worm castings safe for all types of flora?
Yes! Worm castings are completely natural and safe for all plants, including vegetables, flowers, herbs, trees, shrubs, and houseplants. They're gentle, won't burn roots, and are especially beneficial for seedlings and sensitive plants.
Can worm castings help my dying plants?
Yes, in many cases, worm castings can help revive struggling plants. They provide a gentle, slow-release source of nutrients and introduce beneficial microbes that support root health, improve nutrient uptake, and help plants recover from stress. While they aren't a guaranteed cure for every issue, castings often help correct imbalances caused by poor soil, over-fertilizing, or environmental stress.
How can worm castings help manage pests and fungi in my garden?
Worm castings can play a role in natural pest and disease management. They contain beneficial microorganisms that:
1. Help outcompete harmful fungi and bacteria in the soil.
2. Strengthen plants' natural immune systems, making them more resistant to disease.
3. Reduce outbreaks of common pests like aphids and spider mites through healthier, more resilient plant growth.
Additionally, when used as a compost tea (a liquid made by steeping worm castings in water), they can be sprayed on leaves to help suppress fungal pathogens and improve plant defenses.
Are worm castings the same as compost?
No. Compost is decomposed plant matter. Castings are that material after it's passed through a worm's digestive system, which concentrates nutrients and adds microbiology compost doesn't carry. They do different jobs and work well together.
Do worm castings smell?
No. Fresh castings smell like clean earth, which is the sign of a healthy, aerobic product. Anything that smells like ammonia or waste has gone anaerobic or was made from manure feedstock. Ours is neither.
Are worm castings safe around pets and kids?
Yes. No synthetic fertilizers, no pesticides, nothing but castings and biochar.
Is it organic?
Both ingredients are permitted in organic growing and neither requires registration under the Fertilizers Act.
How often do I use it?
Every 4 to 6 weeks for most houseplants. Stretch it toward 6 weeks in winter when growth slows, and pull it in toward 4 during the active growing season. Succulents and cacti need it less often. Twice a year is plenty.
Do I have to repot my plant?
No. Top-dress instead: sprinkle it on the soil surface and water it in. Repotting is only necessary if the plant is already rootbound and due for it, in which case mix the castings into the fresh soil while you're there.
Can I use too much?
Practically speaking, no. Castings release slowly and won't burn roots the way synthetic fertilizer will. Over-applying wastes product rather than harming the plant.
Do I still need to fertilize?
For most houseplants, castings cover it. Heavy feeders and fruiting plants may want a supplement during active growth.
How long does it keep?
Sealed and kept slightly moist, they hold their biology for roughly six months to a year. They don't spoil the way a fertilizer expires, since the nutrients stay put regardless, but the living microbiology is what makes castings work and that fades as the material dries out. Store the bag closed, out of direct sun, somewhere that doesn't freeze or bake.
Can I still use my castings after the season?
Yes. The living microbiology in castings is highest when fresh and declines as the material dries and ages, and adding water later won't bring it back. But the part that does most of the heavy lifting for plant growth is stable: the humic acids, the slow-release nutrients, the trace minerals, and the natural plant growth compounds are all still in there. Older castings are still a genuinely good soil amendment. Use them, just use your freshest bag when you want maximum biological activity.
Why does biochar need to be "charged"?
Raw biochar is empty and will pull nutrients out of your soil at first. Ours is pre-charged in the castings, so it arrives loaded and ready to work.
Does biochar raise soil pH?
Slightly alkaline, yes, but the amounts here are small enough not to matter for typical houseplants. Acid-lovers like blueberries or azaleas are the exception worth watching.