Twin Buttes Worm Farm - San Angelo, Texas

Jerry Schiller
Twin Buttes Worm Farm
San Angelo, Texas 76904

(325) 234-6840

Do I Need Earthworms?

Due to repeated drought, the use
and over use of herbicides,
pesticides and insecticides, the
native earthworm populations in
many areas have been virtually
wiped out. This necessitates the
re-introduction of earthworms to the soil.

On average, soil containing earthworms, also contains:
500% more nitrogen
700% more phosphorus
1200% more potassium
150% more calcium

Earthworms typically work the top 6 inches of the soil, loosening the soil for better aeration
and water absorption. Earthworms enrich your soil with nutrients including nitrogen,
potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, hydrogen, potash, calcium, organic carbons, bacteria,
and other essential nutrients all deposited below the surface and in the top 6 inches where
the plant feeder roots are. Recommended population density is 10 to 25 per square feet.

Earthworms have the ability to modify mineral soil. By ingesting minerals and then releasing
them in their castings, these minerals are made more soluble and more easily absorbed by
plants. USDA tests have shown that plants in soil containing significant worm populations
produce 300-500 more than soil without worms.

Earthworms are especially beneficial in clay soil. As they work their way through the clay
eating the organics that are there, they deposit their castings as rich black dirt. It also helps
to bring in woodchips, leaves, grass clippings, and or manures to help feed the worms. Over
time the clay is turned into rich black topsoil.

A healthy worm population in your lawn, garden or flower bed will save you water and fertilizer which = money saved.

Benefits of Worm Castings

In addition to the nutrients in worm castings listed above, worm castings are loaded with microbial life and bacteria
that plants need and feed on. By loading the soil with rich microbial life, the root is stimulated to grow and is
protected from disease and attack by root feeding organisms. No one organism in the root zone is easily able to cause
major damage. Many micro-organisms exude ingredients to inhibit pathogenic organisms. When we add castings
and their microbial life to the soil we aid in disease and pest suppression. Some researchers believe worm castings
are inhibitory to some insects. Worms and worm castings can turn dead, worn out soil into rich, vibrant soil in a matter
of days. One of the most common statements made to me is that worm castings make things grow where and
when nothing else will.

All worm castings are not equal! Twin Buttes Worm Farm feeds our worms almost exclusively cow, horse and rabbit
manure. These manures are rich in vitamins and minerals that these animals did not use and are thus passed on through
the worm and into the castings. The resulting home-grown vegetables and fruits are more flavorful and nutritious.
Some of the preceding information comes from All About Worm Castings and Their Use by Ms Kelly Slocum.

Is has been medically and scientifically proven that superior nutrition makes animals grow faster, larger, more
productive and more resistant to to illness and disease. The same is true for plants. If your plants are growing in soil
that has been enriched by earthworms and/or their castings, they will grow faster, larger, be more productive
and more resistant to illness and disease. Since we wholesale in many areas of West Texas, we do not retail our
castings in these areas. Please call for availability and prices.

Twin Buttes Worm Farm - San Angelo, Texas 76904 - (325) 234-6840