We Could Use a Lot of Worm Poop

Did you know that worm poop (vermicastings) is 50% higher in organic matter than soil that has not seen the insides of a worm?  Not only is the organic part higher, the composition of the soil is improved.  Bacteria in the intestines of a worm help release nutrients from chemical bonds in soil so they are readily available for plant use.  Vermicastings are 10 times higher in potash, 7 times higher in phosphate, 5 times higher in nitrogen, 3 times higher in magnesium and 1 ½ times higher in calcium.

A sign of healthy soil is a sizable worm population.  Rototilling the soil destroys worm habitat while slicing and dicing the worms into small pieces that don't regenerate.  Using chemical fertilizers drastically reduces worm populations, as the salts are irritating to them, causing the worms to abandon the fertilized area.

Earthworms will do the rototilling for you, while breaking down the bonds that keep nutrients locked away from the plants.  In addition, they break down leaf litter and other debris, spreading it through the soil. They open the soil for water drainage and air movement, while increasing the soil's water holding abilities.  Making your garden earthworm friendly brings many benefits for you and provides healthy soil for plants.