The worms crawl in . . .
Forum Archives
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Feb-03-2005 at 11:12am
My best friend in kindergarten collected earthworms on rainy days during our morning walk to school. She would put them in her raincoat pocket to take home for 'pets.' Unfortunately for all, she would forget she had done this and it was only days later when the coat closet began to smell that they were found. Poor worms. She went through a lot of raincoats that year - the smell never came out.
But the plus side is that her interest sparked my interest in earthworms. I'm still amazed by these tiny earth-moving machines and all that they do for the health of our soil. It seems that others share my interest. There is a new book all about earthworms (I think I listed it in the book thread in the cafe) and in today's Oregonian's Homes and Gardens of the Northwest, Bill Monroe wrote an interesting article about them called As the soil turns
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Feb-04-2005 at 8:57am
If this topic interests you, consider attending Amy Stewart's 3pm lecture, Friday, February 25th at the Portland Home and Garden show. She wrote the recently published book, The Earth Moved: On the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms. (This is the book I mentioned in the above post).
(Debbie, I didn't see this book on Rainy Side's book shelf.)
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Feb-06-2005 at 12:49am
I have it up now along with Kym's review of it that you can see here. Thanks for bringing this book to our attention. I am a great fan of earthworms!
tommyb
Location: Oregon, Willamette Valley
Posted: Feb-06-2005 at 3:19pm
Thanks for pitching in Debbie, I had a pool going (between me, myself and I) on how many posts Lisa could post on this thread before somebody else got to post... Me won!!
I been pulling night crawlers for fishin' since I can remember: 'Tommy, if'n you want to fishin' with Grampa, you better go get some crawlers'. Thanks Pop!! Both fishermen have gone to their reward now, and I'll bet they're both still pick'n crawlers and catchin' catfish upstairs.
With the clay soil so many of us have in the soggy PNW, we need all the help we can get. I nominate worms for the Rainyside Gardener of the Year award.
Tom
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Feb-06-2005 at 5:35pm
I second that nomination! Years ago when compost piles weren't so hip, I had mine and the neighborhood fishermen would come over and go through my piles to get their worms. I never worried about depletion of the critters, there's always gazillions.
JeanneK
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Feb-07-2005 at 7:49am
With all the rain yesterday, the earthworms were out in full force! Wow, one of the true PNW rains we've had in a long time.
I like earthworms because they do terrific things to the soil but I can't say I'd want them in my pocket! LOL, Lisa.
Jeanne
opabinia51
Location: British Columbia, Island
Posted: Feb-12-2005 at 5:35pm
Yes, I agree. I love worms as well. The red Wrigglers are the best composters one can have in their garden. I also have these really huge earthworms that any fisherperson would love to have. But, for my purposes, they keep the soil nice and aerated.
I started Lasagna gardening last fall by putting a layer of leaves down followed by a layer of seaweed topped off with manure. The worms have been busy chomping down all the compost ever since. And my hope is that the big guys have been pulling some of it down deeper into the soil.
Of course, worms are great but, we can't forget about the fungi and bacteria that decompose as much material in the garden (if not more) as the the worms. That is why I have decided to jump over to the no till side of gardening.
growest
Location: Western British Columbia
Posted: Feb-13-2005 at 10:23pm
Opa and all--I agree about letting the little guys in the soil do as much work as possible, I've got enough to do already.
No till, I'm with you on that as well. I guess minimum tillage would be more accurate for me, but I'm continually impressed with how nice and spongy my soil is now I'm not rototilling but just pulling off the weeds and other debris and adding compost to the top. Never have to go looking for a trowel, the soil is soft enough I can push my fingers all the way down into it!
Of course, my family get tired of me reciting my 1st commandment, thou shalt not walk on the garden. Obedience to that one can never be 100% I know, but what a difference when I keep permanent beds in the veggie garden and minimize walking all over the flower and shrub areas
Glen
opabinia51
Location: British Columbia, Island
Posted: Feb-23-2005 at 11:59am
I love your 1st commandment! That's great. Yes, I have decided that no till is definately the way to go. I must admit that I am not a no dig gardner though. I plant two cover crops in the year. During the Fall I do Rye which is mowed 2 or 3 times and is then turned over with a shovel. In the spring (well, actually not the spring; March 1st) I plant white clover and do the same thing. Other than that, no tilling in my garden.
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton