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Worms
improve soil as well as let you know the current condition of
your soil.
Earthworms are nature's super-composter; they eat dirt and get
their nutrients from material and living things in the soil such
as bacteria, nematodes, remains of animals, protozoans, animal
manure, decaying roots and organic matter in general.
If your
soil is of poor quality you won't likely find many earth worms
attracted to your garden. The more organic matter found in your
soil the more earthworms will be attracted and will tend to stay
where they are.
Earthworms burrow through your garden
soil leaving tunnels that allow water and fresh air to reach the
roots of your plants. They use their strong mouth muscles to eat
almost their own weight each 24 hours in organic matter found in
your soil and leave worm castings along the way.
 Worm
castings is essentially, worm poop. It's been shown that worm
castings help to improve your soil's moisture content, porosity,
drainage, aeration, adds plant hormones, micro-organisms and
pretty much everything needed to promote optimal plant growth.
It's no wonder that most gardens consider the earthworm so
valuable to their garden's success.
Finding earthworms in
your soil is an indication that you have a healthy soil in terms
of organic matter and biological activity. Worms can be found in
their greatest quantity when the earth is not too dry and when
temperatures are not too hot, say from 50 to 70 degrees.
Earthworms need moisture and warmth to be active so if you're
checking for worm population in your garden you'll need to keep
this in mind. Your soil should be moist but not soaked and be at
least 55 degrees before you will get an idea of the worm
population.
Taking a
shovel full or two of earth out of your garden and spreading it
out on an old sheet or piece of cardboard will allow you to sift
through the soil in order to get an idea of the worm count in
your garden.
Worms are so beneficial to the garden that
many gardeners buy worms to add to their soil. Nearly the same
result can be achieved by simply turning compost into the soil
to give the worms something to eat. As more and more worms are
attracted to your garden the castings they leave behind will
attract even more worms.
Over a
period of time the dirt in your garden will become a rich
aerated soil full of the required nutrients to support even more
worms and provide a bountiful growing season.
Make
your soil hospitable to worms and they will make the soil
hospitable to your plants.
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