Ingrid, think of your garden as a place to raise "free-range earthworms" and they'll provide you with all the castings you could need, depositing it right where you need it without you having to dig it into the soil for your plants. Do you have a set time of year when you apply mulch? If so, consider gathering as much organic material as possible which isn't composted yet, spread it out, then cover it with mulch. If you buy a garbage can for it, you can collect a lot of coffee grounds from your local Starbucks and use that. If you don't already have some worms in your garden, buy some (like I mentioned before). As long as you keep them fed, you shouldn't have to buy them ever again -- the colony will keep growing. As I said before, I'd consider buying worm castings only for houseplants, and only because it isn't practical to keep earthworms alive in pots. It's just so much cheaper and easier to encourage a population of earthworms in the garden and let them deposit their castings on their own -- as well as keeping the soil aerated with their tunneling. :-) ~Christopher

You can brew worm tea but I have found a better method. It takes months to make worm castings. I have 5 worm bins made from Kitty litter buckets and 2 inside bins (rubbermaid containers). I have a lot of potted plants and hated tossing the spent potting soil (expensive) into the garden. I have 2 compost tumblers and when the exothermic reaction is done I add worms to speed up the process. All bins are raised and have collecting trays. The drippage is the best worm tea. I collect it daily using a turkey baster,bulb syringe, or toomey syringe if you have one. You can collect the tea long before the castings and pour it on your potted plants. I have a 5 foot cilantro that really loved it and have brought back many nutrient deficient plants. Recycling potting soil in worm bins really works too and the worms love them.

Worms are a good thing, but I doubt they will stay in your pots, not the right environment, unless you are over watering! CanÂt say about the beetles, some are helpful, some not. Try figuring out what you have!

Meyer lemon and store bought soil mixes Part II 13) Scotts Organic Group 72078500 Miracle-Gro, 8 QT Cactus, Palm & Citrus Mix Fast Draining Formula Contains A Mixture Of Sphagnum Peat Moss, Composted Forest Products, Sand & Perlite That Is Excellent For Growing Cactus, Palm, Citrus & Other Succulents Helps Prevent Soil Compaction And Improves Drainage, Feeds For Up To 6 Months With Miracle-Gro Continuous Release Plant Food. http://www.ronshomeandhardware.com/72078500-Cactus-Palm-Citrus-Potting-Mix-8-Qt-p/690493.htm 14) ORGANIC MECHANICS Container Blend Potting Soil Our all-purpose organic potting soil, perfect for repotting plants, fast growing annuals, outdoor containers, and more! Excellent drainage properties, yet holds moisture well Perennials, Woody Plants and Herbs love it! Great for large containers (up to 250 gallons) or any plant that needs well-drained soil Contains: compost, pine bark, coir, worm castings and rice hulls. http://www.organicmechanicsoil.com/products-catalog-organic-potting-soil.html 15) Miracle-Gro Cactus Palm and Citrus Potting Mix, 8-Quart Fast-draining formula, Enriched with Miracle-Gro Plant Food Beautiful, colorful results. Feeds up to six months http://www.homedepot.com/p/Miracle-Gro-Cactus-Palm-and-Citrus-Soil-72078500/204502296 16) Down To Earth 5-Pound Citrus Mix 6-3-3 7863 Designed to nourish citrus trees in home orchards and containers, our Citrus Mix is formulated with primary and secondary plant nutrients plus selected micronutrients that promote lush new growth, abundant green foliage, fragrant blossoms and bountiful fruit. It may also be used to feed other fruit trees, vines and ornamentals for equally enjoyable results. Ingredients: Feather Meal, Fish Bone Meal, Alfalfa Meal, Greensand, Langbeinite, Basalt, Sulfate of Potash, Zinc Sulfate and Kelp Meal. http://www.amazon.com/Down-Earth-5-Pound-Citrus-6-3-3/dp/B00KJ0IIZK/ref=sr_1_6?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1430276562&sr=1-6&keywords=citrus+soil 17) Hoffman 10410 Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix Organic cactus and succulent soil mix, professionally formulated for use with both jungle and desert cacti. Provides the drainage cacti need to flourish; ready to use; pH balanced. Complete package directions provide useful growing information. This product weighs 10 quarts. http://www.amazon.com/Hoffman-10410-Organic-Cactus-Succulent/dp/B0030UQLIM/ref=sr_1_5?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1430276562&sr=1-5&keywords=citrus+soil That's the best I could find that seemed remotely deserving to be in the conversation. Atheen