Helping To Lower The PH Of Worm Casting

Question

Dear administrator, I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to seek your expert advice regarding a challenge I have encountered while attempting to produce worm castings using cow manure. In my recent efforts, I have found that the cow manure available in my area has a pH higher than 8, resulting in a final product with a similar pH range. Given that the soils in my country are often alkaline and already suffer from high pH levels, organic fertilizers with an alkaline pH are not particularly desirable or marketable. Considering your successful experiences and expertise in the field of vermicomposting, I would greatly appreciate any insights you may have on potential solutions to this issue. Specifically, I am interested in strategies or amendments that could help lower the pH of the cow manure or the final product, thereby enhancing their suitability for agricultural use. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response and any recommendations you may have.

Answer 1

Since the cow manure has a high pH, adding acidic materials such as citrus with the manure to feed the worms may help reduce the pH. In the second article, it says adding dry peat moss to the worm bed will reduce alkalinity. Here is more:

https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_h/H164/

https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/raising-earthworms-successfully