Did you know that scientists use earthworms as indicators of soil health? Six worms per shovel full of soil is considered good, but the more, the better! But earthworms don’t just let you know whether or not your soil is healthy, they also work diligently to make it even healthier. They aerate the soil as they dig and they drop their nutrient-rich castings (worm poop) everywhere, improving soil fertility.

 

How do you attract earthworms to your garden? One of the best ways is to add compost. Compost feeds (and is chock full of) the beneficial soil microbes that decompose organic materials, such as dead plants, leaves, animal droppings, etc., making them available for earthworms. Because worms don’t have teeth, they depend on these invisible workers, who “prepare” their food for them. Adding compost regularly is like hiring an army of tiny chefs to cook for the worms in your garden. And just like a good restaurant attracts hordes of customers, a soil rich in good microbes attracts more worms.

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Add compost to your garden every year and watch your worm population explode and your plants thrive!