How Earthworms Make a Difference in Your Garden

- Image by kafka4prez via Flickr
It is known that all God’s creatures are vital for the earth. The smallest creatures that are not even visible to the eye are part of the way earth survives. The earthworm is one of the most important creatures for the earth’s healthy balance of soil.
Aristotle called earthworms “the intestines of the earth”. Now imagine a human being without intestines, not even possible. Charles Darwin said that everything that exists has been through the bodies of earthworms. Amazing isn’t it? Without earthworms you can only but imagine the catastrophic consequences. It is our responsibility to maintain a green earth as we as humans have the resources and capabilities to destroy or improve the earth. We have luckily discovered the amazing capabilities of earthworms to help us along a bit.
Earthworms‘ mains functions are too make pathways through soil to let in air, water and plant roots, this in turn enriches the soil for plants to survive. Another function would be that they distribute castings (earthworm poop) through the soil. Their castings are filled with compounds that improve plants’ resistance to disease. It is noticeable that gardens that have more earthworms are healthier than gardens that fewer earthworms. They can also clear the earth from contaminants restoring the soil its natural balance. Not only are they vital for the earth some cultures eat worms as a source of protein.
Compost makes for fantastic earthworm habitats. As most gardeners know or for new gardeners, spreading a nice thick layer of compost over newly planted bedding is ideal. This is because this feeds the soil and also attracts worms, especially earthworms. You can also speed up your composting process through using earthworms by either buying them or farming with them. This is called vermicomposting, this is an admired technique for gardeners throughout the world.
For vermicomposting at home you need a few things. You need to get bins, this can be anything from wood, plastic, and metal containers. The size of the bin depends on how you plan on storing your worms and how you will feed them. Although you may use any bin, there are less favorable ones, like metal will conduct too much heat throughout the bin and also it might rust by sending heavy metals through the compost making it poisonous for the worms.
The best way to maintain healthy garden is through vermicomposting and the use of earthworms. This doesn’t include chemicals and helps with improving the earth’s ozone layer. You are then contributing to a greener earth without having to spend millions.
Tagged with: Add new tag • earthworm • earthworms • making compost
Filed under: backyard garden • backyard gardening • making compost
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“The intestines of the earth” — to me, that is very poetic.