Earth Worms effect on Soil Fertility
Earth worms live in damp soil close to the soil surface. A soil containing a lot of mulch, compost and other organic matter will have worms moving in and around the soils top mulch layers consuming organic matter as it makes its way back into the soil taking with it nutrients to the plants root system.
Plants grown in rich organic soil are by default strong and healthy. Earth worms cause a large part of this.
In his Book, Earthworms in Australia: A Blueprint for a Better Environment
“The worms natural environment is the soil of the earth. They do well there and know it well, because it is their natural home and they have made a very significant contribution to its structure, stability and sustainable fertility. Healthy soil is a living organism, and worms are an integral part of it. The absence of worms is a good indicator of terminal disease. Aristotle called worms “The Intestines of the Earth”. He believed that the soil of this planet was a living holistic organism and understood the role of earthworms in its maintenance.
Soil without worms is noticeably less productive than soil with worms and far more prone to wind and water erosion. Such soil requires the constant application of fertilizers to maintain productivity. Eventually it dies…”
April 29, 2010
Tags: earth worms, organic, soil fertility, worms Posted in: Organic Gardening
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