Which Worm Does Well in “Dirt”?
Spring is coming! Everyone is thinking about spring gardens. As the economy weakens, more people are likely to start growing their own produce.
I’m posting this in the hope that new readers have a very clear understanding that not all worms live in dirt!
The worm on the left is a Redworm. The species happens to be Eisenia Hortensis(aka a European Nightcrawler). The European Nightcrawler is a larger cousin of the Red Wiggler(aka Eisenia Fetida). Redworms by nature are soft bodied worms. Because they are extremely voracious, they are great for breaking down food waste. They do extremely well in a worm bin, and are commonly raised in damp newspaper bedding, coir, or peat moss.
The worm on the right is a Alabama Jumper. The species is Pheretima Hawayanus. It does well in the dirt! It loves clay soil! As a composting worm in a worm bin…not so great!
Many garden centers sell worms in a package with an “Earthworm” label. But garden centers typically know absolutely nothing about worms!
Don’t make the mistake of buying a Redworm (Even if it comes in a package labeled as Earthworms) to put in your soil. Unless you treat your garden like a worm bin, and have a constant layer of damp mulch on top, the Redworm will not survive.
To Recap:
Compost Bin Worms: Red Wigglers, European Nightcrawlers, African Nightcrawlers.
Dirt Worms: Alabama Jumpers
Dirt: Loves the worm poop in concentrated amounts from the Compost Bin Worms! Loves the aeration from Dirt worms.