Earthworm UsesThere are many uses of earthworm uses in the environment as well as the garden. Below are 5 reasons why you want these wiggly critters in your garden soil. Earthworms, considered lowly creatures by many people, can help speed up the production of topsoil to just five years. Agriculture and civilization depend on the fertile topsoil’s maintenance. So it is best to support earthworms in their soil production activities. Before agricultural implements were invented, earthworms cultivated the soil. They mixed, tilled and built topsoil as they dug through the ground. The importance of earthworms has been accepted for almost 200 years. The following information will help us understand how we can benefit from these creatures activities. Improve the Soil’s Physical Structure Earthworms help progress rates of water filtration and absorption. This helps improve the soil drain. Less runoff means having less watering and erosion. The earthworms’ tunneling activities also enhance soil permeability, porosity and aeration. It also helps in breaking up hardened and other compressed soils. They help boost moisture absorption and offer more moisture to plants. Water is absorbed faster by castings than by soil. Castings can absorb moisture in the air and hold it in a way plants can utilize. Improve Soil Fertility Earthworms help bring minerals up from deep in the ground that are usually short in surface layers. By carrying nutrients from deep in the ground and putting them on the surface of the soil as castings, earthworm activity works against leaching. The burrows also help roots easily thrive deeper into the ground and obtain nutrients they normally wouldn’t get. Earthworms also help remove litter from the soil surface by eating them and leaving nutrients in the form of worm castings (vermicast} for use by plants as a non-polluting, natural fertilizer. Bacteria found in a worm’s gut help wipe out damaging chemical and break organic wastes down. Its gut is also a natural bioreactor. It boost the valuable microbial density in the material it oozes to 1,000 times of the nearby soil. Improve Plant Development and Health By eating and digesting the debris of the plant, earthworms’ help get rid of thatch in grassy areas and lawns. Soils with lots of earthworms have lesser amounts of damaging nematodes. These earthworms build soil conditions that dissuade soil organisms like nematodes, insects and other organisms damaging to plants. Suppress Weed Growth A huge population of earthworm helps suppress weed growth. Their tunneling activity of prevents a lot of the conditions that weed seeds require to germinate Clean Up Harmful Chemicals in the Environment Earthworms usually help rid the environment of harmful chemicals. The bacteria found in the gut of earthworms breakdown dangerous chemicals like hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH). Improve Water Stability and Reduces Erosion Earthworms help increase the soil’s water stability. Their castings also help lessen erosion and runoff to help the soil in absorbing water. All in all, earthworm uses are welcome by farmer, gardener and environmentalists. _________________________________________________________________ Top of Earthworm Uses Listed under Compost Pile |