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Earthworms
EARTHWORMS
Earthworms so at least 8 things that are benificial to the
soil.
1. Worms' constant tunneling allow the free passage of air
into and out of the soil.
2. Their constant burrowing also breaks up the hard pan and
plow sole which every mechanical tillage unit creates.
3. Worms by eating the organics such as manure, leaves, grass
and decaying wood, break them up at a much faster rate than would
otherwise occur.
4. Nutrient rich worm burrows allow plant roots to develop
faster thus making stronger healthier plants which are not as
susceptable to fungus or disease.
5. Rainfall is able to enter the soil easily when lots of
worms are present. This eliminates water erosion and puddling
which can kill young plants.
6. In the case of Lumbricus Terrestris and about 50 other
species which have similar habits, the digging of deep semi-
permanent burrows bring mineral rich sub-soils to the surface
in reach of plant roots.
7. A large population of worms will likely attract Robins
among other species of birds. While Robins will prey on the
worms in the early months when the worms are near the surface,
the presence of these birds is invaluable in that they will turn
to feeding on insect pests which will invariably show up.
8. Probably the most important contribution made by worms
is the way they homogenize the mineral and organics into a rich
black humus. Mixing compost into clay or sandy soils is a big
improvement but no where as effective as the way the worms are
able to do it on their own. When worms ingest organics they also
have to take in small bits of grit just as birds do to digest
their food. When this is expelled it is a nutrient rich manure
known as a "cast". The structural integrity of each cast is such
that it does not fall apart readily. In this way soil structure
is improved and erosion from wind and water is lessened.
--
ae062@freenet.unbc.edu (Ron Hamilton Prince George, B.C.)
Date: Tue, 5 Apr 1994 13:32:52 -0700
From: Mat Werner <werner@zzyx.UCSC.EDU>
I want to second the explanation that the term hybrid attached to earthworms
is pure hype. The species to use for vermiculture, vermicomposting is
Eisenia foetida, aka the red worm. Anyone who perpetuates the hybrid myth is
causing troubles for others. I recently visited Cuba and the Cubans went to great lengths in the 80's to track down and obtain living specimens of the
supposed "California Red Hybrid". It wasn't until after they got a shipment
from Spain (via Italy, originally from CA) that they realized the worms were
none other than E. foetida.
I am currently working on a book on the general subject of earthworm
biology and ecology, and practical applications.
Matt Werner
UCSC Agroecology Program
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
F . 0 .. F
earthworm.faq From kcurr@cyberspace.com Tue Apr 18 13:28:25 EDT 1995
Article: 64426 of rec.gardens
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From: kcurr@cyberspace.com (Kaycee Curr)
Newsgroups: rec.gardens
Subject: Re: Q: worm bin
Date: 14 Apr 1995 05:50:38 GMT
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In article <3mjscc$nbh@rmstar.efi.com>, saeedg@efi.com (Saeed Ganji) wrote:
> Well. I heard so much about it I went ahead and ordered a package of 500
> redworms from a mail order place called Gardens Alive. Then I thought to
> myself, that I don't know wha to do with them when they arrive.
>
> Any help regarding different ways to design a worm bin will be appreciated.
> Any other suggestions, as to feeding, separating the castings from the rest
> of the goodies, including the red folks, making sure the eggs will not be
> made separated from the gang, you know, the ins and outs of the upkeeping
> would be very nice indeed.
>
> I'm sure this subject has been discussed in the past. If you can refer or send
> any articles to me directly or posted here, whatever.
>
> Thanks in advance.
> sg
A very insightful book is "Worms Eat My Garbage". I don't have the
author's name for you at the moment, but I've seen it available at a lot
of garden/nursery's in our area, so you might check for it where you're
at. In that book, she discusses how to build your own bin, the sorting
process, feeding, etc. EVERYTHING you ever wanted to know about worm
binning.
We got our worms and a worm bin kit (plastic crate that's ventilated on
the bottom with a thick nylon filter to keep the worms from running (?)
away from the Gardener's Supply Company. They also sell things separately
(like just the bin, or just the filter, the book, etc) You will need a
home for those little critters so I would start looking around for your
bin now before they arrive.
This will be the second year that we've had ours, and I've gotta say that
it's easier than I thought it would be. It also doesn't smell, which I
thought it would. One point though I'd like to mention is that although
the book says you can keep in your house (like the basement) I wouldn't.
For the first year we kept mine in my art studio and some stray bugs
(gnats/fruit flies) found it. It took MONTHS to get rid of all them (the
bugs) in my studio and my house!!! A closed shed is a much better place
for them, the gnats can't find the bin in the dark, and the worms don't
seem to mind the cold (we are zone 8) in the winter.
Kaycee