Re: All about Earthworms.

In a message dated 97-11-26 05:31:41 EST, Lubadub@AOL.COM writes:

<< Subj:	 All about Earthworms.
 Date:	97-11-26 05:31:41 EST
 From:	Lubadub@AOL.COM
 Sender:	owner-pumpkins@mallorn.com
 Reply-to:	pumpkins@mallorn.com
 To:	Pumpkins@mallorn.com, JSMoom@AOL.COM
 
 Well, I have been thinking about how to make my gardening choirs a little
 easier next year and specifically about how maybe to get out of rototilling.
 I was thinking maybe I could simply hire a group of worms to do the deed.
Not
 much has been said here about earthworms. I began to read about them and
 found it quite interesting. The following are some facts about these little
 guys and I am wondering if anyone has additional useful information.
 
 Most earthworms live in the top 7 inches of the soil. For them to survive,
 the soil must have organic matter as a component. Earthworms do best in soil
 where the pH is around 7. They are inhibited by acid soils and soils
 deficient in calcium. 
 Earthworms require moisture. They do not live in deserts. They love fertile
 soils and their presence is an indicator of good soil. They eat decaying
 organic matter and for the most part on the surface of the soil. Food supply
 and soil conditions are the primary determinants of earthworm population.
One
 need not buy earthworms as their numbers can be increased tremendously by
 altering the ground in which they live. Neutralizing the soil pH, adding
 fertilizer as instructed by soil testing and adding organic matter for food
 stimulates an increase in population. Too much fertilizer will kill them.
 Most earthworm eggs are produced in the spring. Young earthworms hatch out
in
 the fall when the soil is cooling and moisture is high.  Rototilling will
not
 really harm the overall population. Earthworms are fairly inactve during the
 warm summer months. Earthworms do most of their feeding on the surface which
 was a suprise to me. They live for 18 to 24 months. Sevin is very toxic to
 earthworms. Malathion is less toxic and it seems diazinon does not really
 harm them. Earthworms are a valuable component of the pumpkin patch. They
 definately aerate the soil and allow for better water perculation.
 
 I think we take earthworms for granted. They are a valuable component of any
 garden. Lets hear it for the earthworms !!!!!
 
 Marv in Altoona PA    (Not totally beserk but maybe a little bored)
  >>
******************************************************************************
********

Ok, here's my Wormy comments.

Excerpt from Compost Feeding your Pumpkin:

Another very important ingredient is Red Wiggler Worms.  They will eat plant
matter as soon as it starts to cool.  Unlike Earthworms that will only eat
Compost that is almost completely broken down.  Red Wigglers are a reddish
brown small to medium sized worm.  Many Bait Stores carry them in the summer
when regular Earthworms are scarce.  You can also buy them from Garden Supply
Houses.  Place them near the bottom in your new Compost Pile as soon as it is
cool enough to touch.

I like to have lots of deferent types of worms, Red Wigglers, Earth Worms and
Night Crawlers.  That way your always have one of them working.

I believe diazinon will kill them, I use it sparingly around the root zone
occasionally but it kills them where I treat.

George
N. Tewksbury MA USA

And for the abbreviatedly challenged that means Massachusetts   Just kidding
:-)



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