Humus is an organic fertilizer, but not just any: it emerges naturally in any type of soil in its natural state, but in very small and extremely nutritious quantities. In a forest, for example, the amount of humus in the soil is 5%, while in beach sand it is barely 1%.
It differs from compost and organic fertilizer because it is in a more advanced decomposition process due to the action of bacteria: it is blackish in color, due to the large amount of carbon it has. As it decomposes, humus provides nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium to the soil and plants. It is, let’s put it this way, the most nutritious organic decomposition process for the earth.
One of the easiest ways to get humus to apply to your garden, which you can collect from your own garden. Their excrement and bacteria will generate an organic decomposition process that will accelerate the formation of humus for your plants.
The benefits of humus for your soil:
It helps both with its retention and filtration, according to the needs of the soil.
It gives a correct consistency to the soils according to their type. In sandy soils it is compact, while in clay soils it has a dispersing effect.
Facilitates the uptake of by the rhizosphere.
Regulates plant nutrition.
Provides nitrogenous products to degraded soil.
It makes the land more fertile.
Improves the assimilation of mineral fertilizers.
How to make worm castings?
(Preparations)
Let the soil you are going to use soak for at least a day.
Get leftover animal or vegetable food.
Get newspaper.
Get a container with its lid (the larger it is, the more humus you will generate); It can be made of plastic, wood or rubber.
Find worms in your garden; Just dig around in the dirt a little to find some, or buy some Californian red worms, they are easy to find.
Application
Wash your container and make some holes in the lid so the worms can breathe.
Cut the newspaper into strips and place a layer of strips on the surface of your container; shredded paper will allow the container to ventilate better.
Place a thick layer of loose, but moist, soil on top of the newspaper already placed in the container.
Apply leftover food.
Place the worms inside the container so they can start making the humus.
Make sure your container is placed in a place where it will not receive changes in temperature or ventilation.
Feed your worms from time to time with more organic waste so that they continue generating humus. In 15 days you will have your first compound ready to place on your land.