New Grower Just out of curiosity....Worms?

[TreeFarmer]

Like the title says, just out of pure curiosity has anyone ever experimented with adding earthworms to their pots? From reading and research in soil, they breakdown and transfer soil into readily available nutrients (and some trace) into things that plants can readily uptake. And as long as you arent using certain pesticides, chemical ferts dont really have an affect on them.

Anybody ever tried it? I may be a noob, but in my profession, its all about theory and experimentation so i just had to ask!

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Like the title says, just out of pure curiosity has anyone ever experimented with adding earthworms to their pots? From reading and research in soil, they breakdown and transfer soil into readily available nutrients (and some trace) into things that plants can readily uptake. And as long as you arent using certain pesticides, chemical ferts dont really have an affect on them.

Anybody ever tried it? I may be a noob, but in my profession, its all about theory and experimentation so i just had to ask!

If you are referring to the regular earthworm that most folks find after it rains, then probably not, as they are difficult to raise or keep.
I raise red worms or wigglers. The proper name is eisenia foetida. They are an excellent worm to keep and relatively simple to maintain.

Most folks would keep these worms for the castings (excrement) as they are an excellent source of humus if you are building your own soil and growing organically.
They also introduce microbes to your soil, which is crucial to organic growing.

I wouldn't be surprised to find worms in my containers, although I have not purposely put them in there. Cocoons would have found their way into the container when I mix soil.
If you are asking if they are harmful, then the answer is no. Would they survive a chemical fertilizer grow? Probably not , as most chemical additives contain a lot of salt. Salt can be lethal to worms.

Hope this has helped in some small way.

Kilgore

 

[Man In The Jar]

Welcome onboard Kilgore



MITJ

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Thanks MITJ.