Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I like to put night crawlers in my garden. (Original Post) Ptah May 2018 OP
Put 'em on a hook and cast it. n/t rzemanfl May 2018 #1
I reeled in a small squash. Should I throw it back? Ptah May 2018 #2
If they crawl during the day it's not working. Lint Head May 2018 #3
That makes sense. Ptah May 2018 #9
... Ferrets are Cool May 2018 #4
Thanks for the information, Ferrets are Cool. Ptah May 2018 #10
You are very welcome. I have a 6K gallon Koi pond beside my home... Ferrets are Cool May 2018 #13
Red wigglers BlueTexasMan May 2018 #5
The Cadillac of worms! csziggy May 2018 #6
I've found night crawlers 4 feet deep. Kaleva May 2018 #7
I didn't know crawlers went so deep. Ptah May 2018 #11
Red wigglers in a worm farm composting bin may be a better option. Kaleva May 2018 #8
I'm too casual of a gardener to go that far. Ptah May 2018 #12
I'm going to try it this year. Kaleva May 2018 #14
I see earthworms occasionally, but know they don't belong here. NutmegYankee May 2018 #15
Another option I may try is are worm towers made of 5 gallon buckets. Kaleva May 2018 #16

Ferrets are Cool

(21,957 posts)
4. ...
Thu May 3, 2018, 06:51 PM
May 2018

Several species of helpful earthworms will magically appear as you dig compost and other forms of organic matter into your soil. The most important species in terms of soil improvement is the night crawler (Lumbricus terrestris), which specializes in taking organic matter from the soil’s surface and storing it in underground middens, which are combination food supply/trash heaps. As these middens decompose, they become nutrient-rich hot spots in plants’ root zones. In addition, night crawler tunnels create open channels for water and plant roots, which can make a huge difference in tight clay soil.

Using mulches will encourage night crawlers, as will creating grassy mowed pathways, which you might think of as night crawler reservoirs. But the best thing you can do to increase night crawler populations is to place piles of compost and mulch in or near your garden. More night crawler activity goes on around the edges of compost and mulch piles than anywhere else in your garden.

Chances are good that providing habitat for night crawlers will attract them in noticeable numbers, but if you want to import worms to colonize your new garden area, you can use night crawlers that are sold as fishing bait. Mother Earth News

If you put them there, they will do good things.

Ptah

(33,493 posts)
10. Thanks for the information, Ferrets are Cool.
Fri May 4, 2018, 05:06 PM
May 2018

The places I put them have some compost and are growing well.

Ferrets are Cool

(21,957 posts)
13. You are very welcome. I have a 6K gallon Koi pond beside my home...
Fri May 4, 2018, 06:15 PM
May 2018

I have a compost bin close to it where I grow earthworms. The Koi love them as treats.

BlueTexasMan

(179 posts)
5. Red wigglers
Thu May 3, 2018, 10:54 PM
May 2018

Here in my area the Red Wiggler is recommended for its ability to work in the upper soil layers. They work shallow and horizontally doing a better job of loosening the soil than the deep vertical tunnels of the Night Crawler. I've ordered them by mail before and they do just fine.

NutmegYankee

(16,311 posts)
15. I see earthworms occasionally, but know they don't belong here.
Sun May 6, 2018, 01:14 AM
May 2018

All earth worms in New England are exotic/invasive species. The glaciers wiped them out and as they get introduced they damage the forest floors.

Kaleva

(38,175 posts)
16. Another option I may try is are worm towers made of 5 gallon buckets.
Tue May 8, 2018, 08:35 PM
May 2018

This would cost me nothing but my time and labor as I already have a number of 5 gallon buckets and the tools needed to drill holes in them.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Gardening»I like to put night crawl...