Earthworms

EARTHWORMS - These familiar denizens of the garden, known also as land worms or “fishing worms,” belong to a group of low animal life called Annelida. They are segmented worms that live in moist soil containing decaying organic matter, crawling out at night to feed or when the burrows are filled with water as during heavy rains. The worm eats the soil through which it burrows and its digestive juices break down and dissolve bacteria, leafmold and other organic matter in the soil.

The indigestible remainder is discharged in the form of “castings” which may be abundant on the surface of the soil. It has been estimated that earthworms in an acre of land thus bring more than 35,000 lbs. of soil to the surface in a year. This type of soil working and conditioning is of great value in the garden and earthworms should be left alone wherever possible. However, too many present in lawns, golf greens, etc., mar the beauty of the turf and sometimes call for control or extermination.

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