Ode to an Earthworm
Perceived as lowly,
But actually holy,
The earthworm feeds the soil.
Humble in looks,
Often skewered on hooks,
Silently it toils.
Woven into the dirt,
Never rude nor curt,
It performs its work unseen.
Even its waste
Improves the taste
Of every pea and bean.
Ann Myers
This little poem may be humorous but it is also truthful. Earthworms play a very important role in creating and maintaining healthy soil, beautiful lawns and tasty vegetables. You can’t find a better garden helper. They do their own version of tilling by integrating organic material on the surface into the soil to a depth of six feet, breaking it down so that plants can utilize it. In turn, soil aeration as well as water absorption are improved.
Worms have an amazing appetite. They can consume their weight in organic matter in a single day. But what they put back into the soil is truly astonishing. Worms leave behind eight times more microorganisms than they eat. These beneficial microorganisms are free of any plant pathogens and contain elements that actually help plants fight fungal pathogens such as powdery mildew and black spot.
Worm castings are loaded with nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium – all of which are important for supporting plant growth. In addition, castings contain large amounts of humic acid, an excellent natural soil conditioner. A 200 square foot garden containing 25 earthworms per square foot will be supplied with 175 pounds of high-quality, perfectly balanced fertilizer per year. No need for synthetic fertilizers, which chase worms away as it dissolves.
To encourage and support earthworm activity in your soil, consider doing the following. Limit your use of gas-powered tillers. Tilling not only can injure the worms but it actually destroys the microorganisms and the organic matter that they feed on. Avoid the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. They, too, destroy microorganisms and kill worms. And, periodically add organic matter such as kitchen compost, manure and leaves to your soil. If you create a welcoming environment, earthworms will flourish and you will be rewarded with a healthier lawn and garden.
Ann Myers
About Joe Lamp'l
Joe Lamp'l is the Host and Executive Producer of the award winning PBS television series Growing A Greener World. Off camera, Joe dedicates his time to promoting sustainability through his popular books, blog, podcast series, and nationally syndicated newspaper columns. Follow Joe on Twitter
I’m searching for a poem I learned as a child about an earthworm. I believe it started out like the: “Poor little earthworm, down in the ground. Nobody loves you or wants you around”. From there I can’ t remember the rest of the poem or the person who wrote it. I was just wondering if you had heard of this poem & if so, could you finish the rest of it & tell me who the poet is? Thank you.
I remember the poem but alas only as much as you. At least we each now know of another person who at least remembers part of it.
We have a supply of earthworms in our garden. What should I do to begin cultivating worm castings? My interest is starting small then growing into a green business. I’m particularly interested in the worm table design I saw in your show that aired today on Create tv (pbs). The food for the worms goes on top with castings falling out of the bottom which are screened and used or bagged and sold.
I would def. check out the show notes for the episode you saw on Create. There we have a link to Jack Chambers worm farm as well as other helpful information. He has a great blog and other good information all about his operation. I’m sure you will learn all you need to know there. Just go back to our site, http://www.GrowingAGreenerWorld.com and click on the episodes page to find either episode 112 or 218. Or, type in “worms” in the search box and you should get an option for a link to the show and show notes.