DennyK

Just wondering if its a good idea to introduce a couple earthworms into each pot. I've heard good things about earthworms in general for gardening, but just wondering if anyone knows pros and cons of introducing them into soil and how it affects the plant positively/negatively.

My thinking: i would think 1 or 2 earthworms at the most per pot would be good to keep the soil fertile and rich in humus (i think that's what their byproduct is). I think the earthworms would have to be fed by putting dead matter on the topsoil, like dead leaves, food leftovers, etc. A main concern of mine is how FF fertilizers would affect the earthworm. I'm thinking they would be fine.

Wildlifer69

Just use Worm Poop
It would take a couple of Worms quite some time to Break Down the soil....

Jimmyclean

No use using worms to be honest, they will get up and leave very quickly, and if you are growing indoors that means you've got worms crawling across the floor, very gross if you step on one.

Outdoors they will still get up and leave and very very rarely come back.

As last post says using castings is probably a better way to go, and save the worms for making a worm farm, it is a great way to dispose of household waste and an almighty natural fertilizer as a result.

outdoors

Yeah, don't put worms in your pots... I think they'll eat your tender roots...

Best to use "worm castings"... If you really wanna play with worms, look into worm composting, it's easy, cheap and gives you gold for your plants.

Peace- OD

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PiGMaN

Worm castings or juice is not a NPK fertiliser.
Whilst it contains some Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium it’s major strength lays in it biological activity and complex range of other nutrients and minerals.
Plants need more than NPK to grow well and i suggest you maintain your normal fertiliser program . However, once you have been applying Worm castings or Juice for a while you will be able to reduce your fertiliser application as the soils natural processes will have re-established and the plants will be sourcing the Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium that was previously locked up in your soil. Remember, the value of Worm castings or Juice is in the millions of beneficial bacteria that starts work in your soil and on your plants as soon as it is applied.

nigel

Thanks for that Pigman, have noticed gaps in the story of worms providing everything myself. I talked to a non commercial producer of worm castings and he said that the nutritional value of wormcastings is very dependant on what you feed them. He seemed to think that wormcastings just using paper and a limited range of compostables, [waste depot recycling and the 'big boys']; was no match for the wastes of his backyard ecosystem and the manure/ mineral supplements he gave his worms.
Worms could be like compost, where the greater the variety of ingredients, the better and more nutritious the product. cheers nigel

StrokerAce

I think worm castings ARE worm waste.

...StrokerOut.

Luke Highwalker

they are in fact worm poo....

but junk in junk out