RE: Worms in the ground

 In Bon Terra’s publication Basic Vermiculture written by Kelly Slocam , he states.   “The worm cocoon is an incredibly tough structure, designed to protect the young inside from environmental extremes and even ingestions by other animals.  Cocoons can be frozen, submerged in water for extended periods of time, dried and exposed to temperatures far in excess of what can be tolerated by adult worms without damage to the young worms inside.”    That is how it works.

 

Ray Schutte

Interbay P-Patch

Seattle

"The truth of the matter is that the flower has cleverly manipulated the bee into hauling its pollen from blossom to blossom." The Botany of Desire, Michael Pollan

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Jon Rowley [mailto:rowley@nwlink.com]
Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2003 10:43 AM
To: community_garden@mallorn.com
Subject: [cg] Worms in the ground

 

So it sounds like the worms are surviving thru cold winters in the ground, that as long as there is a prepared bed and food they will hang around and they won't freeze or die being outside.  Am I getting this right?  Laurie

 

Laurie,

The red worms that decompose organic matter don't burrow. They work the litter layer where the food is. Here is my theory.  When it freezes the worms make egg casings which are resistant to the cold. The worm freezes and the casing waits for a thaw and hatches 3-4 little ones. I'm not sure thats the way it works but thats the way it looks like it works. Ever notice all the worms after a thaw?

Jon Rowley

Interbay P-Patch

Seattle

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