The latest recomindation I'm reading is anywhere from 5 - 20% vermicastings. The recipe I use for my containers is:

1 part sand
2 parts perlite
4 parts vermicompost
8 parts peat (or 4 parts peat & 4 parts coffee grounds)
(Add a tablespoon or two of ground egg shells or lime to adjust PH levels)

Everything I grow in pots grows VERY well in this mix. I'm sure you could use it for the garden also.

thanks for the advice...maybe I will try all this. Might even do an experiment to see what the difference would be between normal potting soil with VC and your mix.

Any alternatives to peat?

My Can O' Worms system came with a coconut fiber block called choir that is used to initially set the system up with. It has a peat like texture. Has anyone tried this instead of peat moss?

Sandy

a small amount of castings scratched in around each plant is workable, or placed in the planting hole when putting in transplants - don't need lots, and don't need any "additives"

Bill

It's not really necessary to have exact measures when you're mixing VC into the soil. If you have something that you know is a heavy feeder, like a rugosa rose, of course you would just add more and work it into the top layer of soil. For everything else, sprinkle it lightly over the soil and rake it in. It may be harder to discern any difference this way, but the plants will be healthier for the active microbes and nutrients in the soil. Just like planting a seed, you won't see the changes right away, but that doesn't mean they're not happening. Cheryl

I have used coir for mixing with cheap soil to make potting mix and it works great. I wish there were a real place to buy it here, rather than order it-