Hi, Liz
What is the ratio of worm castings in the planter? What type of chemical fertilizer?

Have been conducting a small experiment of my own using some leftover seeds from the Spring.

In two medium size pots, I planted a squash seed. In one pot I used Miracle Grow Water Retaining Potting Mix. In the second pot I used the same thing, but added 20% worm castings to it. Both mixtures got the same amount of sunlight and water.

Both seeds sprouted and grew at the same rate during the first few weeks. But after about a month's time, the plant in the potting mixture with the castings is now much taller and much fuller. This weekend will add Miracle Grow to both plants and see if the smaller plant will catch up to it's taller brother.

WistarWorms wrote:

QUOTE:
Have been conducting a small experiment of my own using some leftover seeds from the Spring.

In two medium size pots, I planted a squash seed. In one pot I used Miracle Grow Water Retaining Potting Mix. In the second pot I used the same thing, but added 20% worm castings to it. Both mixtures got the same amount of sunlight and water.

Both seeds sprouted and grew at the same rate during the first few weeks. But after about a month's time, the plant in the potting mixture with the castings is now much taller and much fuller. This weekend will add Miracle Grow to both plants and see if the smaller plant will catch up to it's taller brother.

Just a thought but what about adding some miracle grow to the plant to the one that doesn't have worm castings in it and adding worm tea for the other.

I agree, keep one chemical and the other non chemical (worm), if you change to both being chemical then it will "pollute" the results.
Please post pics of your results.