BENEFITS OF WORMS
Soil Aeration
Earthworms create tunnels as they move through the soil. These tunnels allow air to circulate, which helps plant roots access the oxygen they need to grow. This also improves water drainage, preventing waterlogging and reducing soil erosion.
Nutrient Recycling
Worms are decomposers, consuming organic matter like dead leaves and plants, breaking it down into simpler compounds that enrich the soil with nutrients. They excrete castings (worm poop), which are rich in essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Enhanced Soil Structure
Soil Aggregates are created by the mucus produced by worms as they move through the soil, which helps bind soil particles together, creating a crumbly structure called tilth. This softens hard soil and reduces compaction, making it easier for plant roots to take hold. This also brings in larger creatures that are beneficial to the soil, such as crickets and moles.
Improved Water Retention
The improved soil structure and organic matter created by worm activity help the soil retain moisture, reducing watering and irrigation needs, offering resiliency in dry weather and droughts.
Support for Beneficial Microbes
Worms help maintain the health and diversity of the microbial community in the soil. Their digestive process supports the growth of beneficial bacteria and fungi, which contribute to soil health and plant vitality.
Pest Control & Disease Suppression
Worms can help reduce the presence of harmful pathogens in the soil by breaking down organic matter and promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms that can outcompete or deter harmful pests in the soil. Healthy, well-aerated soil with a balanced microbial community is less prone to infestations.
Earthworms consume a mix of soil, decaying organic matter, and microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes. As earthworms digest the soil and organic matter, most of the microorganisms are broken down by the earthworm’s digestive enzymes. However, some microorganisms may survive passage through the earthworm’s digestive system and are excreted in the worm's castings.
Some nematodes, especially those that are beneficial and adapted to survive in the soil, can survive passage through an earthworm’s gut. These nematodes can continue to play their role in the soil ecosystem after being excreted.
Overall, worms are amazing. They can tunnel 4-7 meters (13-23 feet) deep, looking for water, taking with them fertility and biology. They each ingest 20-30 liters of soil every year. Their actions raise ground temperature naturally. And since heat is energy, and energy leads to growth, worms increase productivity by raising soil temperature.
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