Why worms are good

The following farming practices provide food for earthworms. Permanent pasture : Permanent pasture provides organic matter as leaves and roots die and decay. Pasture slashings and manure from grazing animals are also good sources of organic matter in pasture.

Green manure crops : Green manure crops are fodder crops turned into the soil to provide organic matter to benefit the following crop. The crops are grazed or slashed, sometimes pulverised, and then left on the surface or turned into the soil.

Crop stubble : Stubble is an important source of organic matter. Burning stubble destroys surface organic matter, and this affects worm numbers.

It is best to leave stubble to rot down, and sow following crops into the stubble using aerial sowing, direct drill or at least minimum tillage. All these techniques mean less cultivation, and this also encourages earthworms. Rotations: Rotating pasture with crops helps build up organic matter levels and earthworm numbers. Reduce use of some fertilisers and fungicides Highly acidifying fertilisers such as ammonium sulfate and some fungicides reduce worm numbers.

Researchers have found that orchards sprayed with bordeaux or other copper sprays contain few earthworms and have peaty surface mats and poor soil structure. Groundcover such as pasture or stubble reduces moisture evaporation.

Decaying organic matter humus holds moisture in the soil. In dry times some species burrow deep into the soil and are inactive until rain 'reactivates' them. Improve drainage Worms need reasonably aerated soil, so you may need to drain or mound soil in wetter areas to prevent waterlogging. This is a sensory organ used to navigate, or feel its way through the soil. Although an earthworm has no eyes, it can still sense light, especially with the head end. Extended exposure to UV light will paralyze a worm and cause it to die within a short span of time.

It uses the segments to propel itself. Each segment is covered with tiny bristles, called setae. These bristles act as traction devices to help the worm move. The setae also assist the worm in navigation. Making Worm Babies Earthworms have the best of both worlds. As hermaphrodites, worms are both male and female. Although unlike slugs and snails, they cannot self-fertilize.

A worm has a pair of ovaries and two sperm receptacles. When the romantic mood strikes, a worm meets up with another at the surface. There they line up, join together and exchange sperm.

After fertilization, the clitellum forms a slime tube filled with albuminous fluid. Albumin is a water-soluble protein — the same protein found in milk, blood plasma and egg white.

The worm wriggles forward out of the tube. The tube first passes over the female pore, which deposits eggs. As the worm continues to crawl forward, the slime tube passes over a male opening. The eggs are fertilized with stored sperm from the other parent worm.

The tube closes off to form a tiny, lemon-shaped egg case. This egg cocoon is deposited underground. In their natural environment these worms would live near the surface and feed exclusively on organic matter. They are most appropriate for use indoor use in vermicomposting set ups. Vermicomposting involves filling plastic or wood containers with and organic bedding and kitchen scraps and adding redworms. The worms decompose the organic material and create nutrient-rich finished compost.

Although these worms are not currently thought to survive New Hampshire winters, they have the potential to escape into forests and become an ecological threat, and should not be used in outdoor compost piles. A monthly newsletter for New Hampshire gardeners, homesteaders and plant-lovers of all kinds, that includes seasonal suggested gardening tips, upcoming events and articles with proven solutions for your garden and landscape. Got questions? Call toll free at , Monday to Friday, 9 a.

Home Blog Should I put earthworms in my garden? Should I put earthworms in my garden? Help us campaign for more support for farming systems that preserve their habitats and food sources, working in harmony with nature. While some people may not think them the most attractive of animals, worms play a vital role.

So what role do earthworms play? Recycle nutrients Worms are hungry little creatures and have the capacity to eat their own body weight in food every day! Amongst other things, their diet consists of: dead plants, fallen leaves, fungi, bacteria and even dead animals.

Improve soil structure Another thing that earthworms do is loosen, mix and oxygenate the soil as they burrow channels through.