Earthworms help to increase the oxygen in soil by increasing the air flow and water, there are more than 3500 species of earthworms. Let’s learn about the importance of earthworms in our soil and which one of these species would be easy for us to foster and cultivate.
Earth worms are the easiest species you can help support. Now the reason why we must nourish earthworms in the first place would be crucial so here go I…..
The natural eco system has been disturbed because of the use of artificial pesticides, insecticides, fungicides and other injurious sprays. Fogging these unfavorable chemicals to save crops in the fields has proven to be detrimental for most of the biodiversity. Now that we understand the importance of organic food it is imperative to take steps in the direction of bringing back the ecosystem we have managed to ruin within the past 70 years. In order to make the environment amicable for growing food without the use of these death dealing chemicals the first specie you need to understand is earth worm. Although there are millions of organisms and microorganisms that you’ll acquaint with on your journey to growing chemical free greens, but the first and most important is earthworm. Earthworms work the soil, they convert organic matter into healthy growing medium, viable to cultivate anything that you’d like to eat for dinner!
The earth has her own way of creating and nurturing biodiversity, but we are in a little hurry today, we don’t have 700 years to see what will happen to earth although we all know the direction we are heading into.
let’s do our bit, let’s see what we can do to make our soil healthy, let’s begin with earth worms…. Earthworms are the most important caretakers of your soil, if your soil is devoid of earthworms, be sure everything is wrong with your soil. The first step is to make your soil healthy enough to nurture earth worms in it.
There are three types of earthworms that you will need for your soil.
Epigeic earthworms: Perionyx excavators. These earthworms live on the surface of the soil, they take organic matter which falls naturally on the surface of the earth and convert it into food for other microorganisms. These are best for composting. Epigeic earthworms feed on mulch and organic matter make sure you have enough supply.
Anecic earthworms. Lampito mauritii. These earthworms predominantly make burrows from top to bottom, these earthworms manage the circulatory system of the soil, they transform nutrients and water under the ground for other microorganisms, these worms convert the acidic matter in soil and convert it into alkaline. Giving nitrogen and carbon to soil.
Endogeic earthworms, octochaetona thurstoni, these live inside the soil. They loosen and clean the soil.
Perionyx and octochaetona serrata are the two most important breeds which you’ll need if you want to enhance your soil or make vermicompost which serves as a very nutritious fertilizer for your plants.
Average life of an Indian earthworm is 1 year, within 60 days they achieve maturity, and breed to give approx.. 1000 earthworms within the same year.
Earthworm babies live in cocoons and emerge out to follow their parents footsteps, which is enhancing the structure of our soil.
What you need:
1.) A container, any size will do, make sure it’s at least 1 ft. deep and has a wide open mouth with good drainage vent, in case water gets clogged there should be an outlet.
Suggestion: 4ft. X 4ft. wooden container with a temporary cover.
2.) Cow dung
3.) Water
4.) Mulch.
Prepare the bed for your new buddies!
1.) Fill your container with cow dung, put in earthworms, spray water.
2.) Make sure your earthworm container is moist all the time.
3.) You can put vegetable peels from your kitchen but make sure to add equal amount of dry matter with your greens.
4.) Earthworms like being in cool and moist environment. Ensure the temperature never exceeds 60°F