How to Attract Earthworms (To The Garden)

Earthworms can be a great garden partner to build good soil. Gardener Scott discusses how he attracts and keeps earthworms in his garden. (Video #481)
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[@CMDRSloma]

I have paved patio in UK, the only available space for compost bin. I started composting using plastic "dalek" bin with plastic base that has holes for drainage. Worms "invaded" my bin within two weeks, now my compost is mostly vermicompost. In Europe it is natural and very effortless process.

[@NanasWorms]

We sunk four 5 gallon food grade buckets with holes on the bottom, sides and lid into our raised beds. We filled the buckets with great carbon sources like leaves, manure and shredded cardboard, added garden trimmings and stocked them with red wigglers from my worm bins. Every few weeks we add more carbon and more garden or food scraps. Our gardens are full of worms that come and go from these worm towers. Twice a year, we lift the buckets out of the ground, empty the contents into a container (so I can bait out the worms and harvest the castings) and restock the bucket in the garden. ~ Sandra

[@artstamper316]

I wish. I tried this using pitchers with holes containing veggie scraps and cardboard and paper. After a few weeks of watering when I went to add more scraps, etc., the pitchers looked exactly as they had when I started except that the paper was wet from the watering. No decomposition at all; and I had put a few worms in the spring in my raised beds to get them started. They must have gone somewhere else except for a single worm that I eventually saw when I set a tomato plant. 😢 I tried the pitcher composting in two separate raised beds with the same result.

[@NanasWorms]

@@artstamper316 Hmm, are you sure it was composting worms you added and not deep burrowing worms? Worms don't get any nourishment from paper or cardboard that is fresh - it needs to be exposed to micro organisms and start to break down. Otherwise, the worms will leave if they have that option. One way to inoculate paper is to mix in a little bit of manure, compost or a handful of duff from a living forest floor. Let it sit a week or more and then try adding the worms. ~ Sandra

[@artstamper316]

@@NanasWorms LOL They were fishing worms from Walmart, as that had been suggested by another gardener, although there were only a few live worms in the two tubs I bought. I would have hoped there were some already in ground to move up through the branches in the bottom of the bed, but maybe not. I haven't found any worms in the lawn, just little white bugs all over the yard. The pitchers had kitchen scraps and shredded paper with a little soil.

[@SokemRokemRobot]

One night, I went worm hunting for fishing, and I overdid the hunting by a lot. I caught 144 worms in just 2 hours in my back yard. I didn't shock them out of the ground, or anything like that. I just used a small container, and a flashlight that isn't too bright. A person can do that and stock up their garden beds very quickly.

[@marythecontrary]

I remember my dad hunting for worms when I was a kid. He just sprayed the lawn with water and gave each of us kids a flashlight. Whoever collected the most worms was the winner. 😂

[@Cutecat689]

It's very refreshing to find someone who doesn't put their worms in bins. I've been wondering if I should just release the rest if mine into the EARTH. 😂

[@julie-annepineau4022]

I buried a few rotting, molding jack o'lanterns (no seeds of course) in some of my garden beds last fall. The worm population exploded this year. Will do on my beds where heavy feeders were again.

[@marcogallazzi9049]

Great explanation, as always! It's good to know that more and more people are learning about the biology below ground. Specially on an industrial level, hopefully some day we will (re)learn to eat more naturally. Thank you!

[@amyberchtold2728]

Great video. I recently added pine needles to some dry soil that I did not see worms. We had alot of rain. I later went to plant my seeds and wella, tons of worms. This all makes sense. I am ready to add more. Bring on the worms. Thanks!

[@PreppedReView]

What an awesome video!!!

[@scrappyquilter102]

Really interesting! I'd like to take it one step further and propose that when I put fresh-cut green grass clippings on my raised beds as mulch, that creates the very BEST "worm magnet" in the world. They love it!

[@DesertRose808]

I do the same thing lol I will relocate the worms. I get a lot around my in ground fig trees so I will take some and place them in pots that I'm growing vegetables in because I like to use organic fertilizer in those so it gets the break down going. I just make sure to keep it a good environment for them year round so they stay

[@WarmFuzzyVibes]

I keep my (epigeic) red worms alive in the winter outdoors with a thick several inch mulch of leaves over the worm bed. I may lose some worms, but most survive the winter (I live in Zone 8b). I also have an indoor worm bin that can be used to repopulate the outdoor worm farm. And, also, the outdoor ones need to be watered during drought conditions in rhe summer or active season to keep them from dehydration and eventual death. More folks would keep worms but forget to feed and water them! If you have a compost pile that you water, chances are you are also feeding and watering some earthworms. And putting that wood mulch on bare areas that won't grow grass? Yes, that is a good first step to better soil and prevents mud and erosion! I am doing that in my somewhat shaded back yard and the mulch is free from the city courtesy of their electric utility line tree trimming crew. I am thinking the worms are very happy right about now.

[@brianseybert2189]

I have been raising worms for 4 years now. Most of your information was spot on, except when it came to JW's. Jumping worms are now found in 34 states, not just on the east coast.. People need to be made aware of the devastation JW's can do to a natural environment. I can no longer grow my veggies the way I used to because of the JW's. Here is another thing, no Universities are putting out, the jumping worms kill any other worm in their environment. I think you should do a disclaimer video about Jumping worms. They may never get into where you are, I never even thought about them until I got them. Most people think I am full of $hit, I do not care. Jumping worms are a real threat to our natural ecosystems, the hell with my garden, can always buy some Miracle Grow. Hope You are Well !!!!!

[@heidiclark6612]

I always learn new stuff from your videos. Thank You for another informative one.

[@brianbarker2670]

Besides birds going after earthworms moles just love them. The bane of my lawns.

[@jwalaprasadyoga]

I learnt something new today. Thanks Gardener Scott.

[@KPaul7]

Thanks, Gardner Scott ❤

[@JohnandSarah]

Thanks again for great ideas like building up my worm population!

[@eliandkate]

Absolutely fantastic video. Lots of great things to learn.

[@constantineperatos3676]

Great video sir, i am thinking of getting a spreader and spreading chicken feed on my lawn then letting the rain water it in to promote and feed worms, and biology in the soil that will also help reduce grubs..im running some test now in some soil next to the grass in front yard to see if worms come

[@ftoftheX]

Very Interesting. Thank you!

[@mg-lz3kk]

Another tremendous lesson~! Thank you Gardner Scott!

[@camarawlong]

Thank you, very informative, most grateful

[@12thsonofisrael]

👍 Fantastic information an excellent reason for growing a cover crop in early fall that will die in a 'Hard Freeze'.

[@waynesell3681]

My in ground beds have become so full of grass type weeds I will be tilling again in couple weeks. Plan is to amend with cow manure then rest and seed with mixed cover crops. Sometimes plans work, sometimes not so good...

[@SherryEllesson]

Good video! When you mentioned being careful about importing potentially invasive species (of worms) I was reminded of having cautioned friends who like to buy pine needle bales as decorative mulch because if they're from the southeastern U.S. they could contain fragments of kudzu root or rhizomes, which will take off and take over.

[@VASI_LIKI]

That has happened to me and only reading this i realise it must be my mulch

[@SherryEllesson]

@@VASI_LIKI I spotted some kudzu growing along a lake shoreline near where I worked some years back and called the dept of Nat'l Resources. They came and confirmed what it was and found it necessary to use chemicals to get rid of it.

[@VASI_LIKI]

@@SherryEllesson ive been trying to remove it ....

[@SherryEllesson]

@@VASI_LIKI I know it sounds drastic but given how big the roots get and how invasive the rhizomes are, you may have to resort to Roundup.

[@janepickle4762]

Thank you very much, this is very informative

[@philt77]

Another ”meaty” knowledge video from Scott. Thank you

[@thebrowncrew]

Great info!

[@hannaolsson3445]

Crystal clear :)

[@TheLUCIANA63]

Great 💚

[@adampetherick6266]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ knowledgeable when do we get a chance to go are there another class trip❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ good job on the video

[@Steve197201]

A few months ago, I started my first compost pile. Every morning, I would rotate it using my bare hands. At first, I didn't find any earthworms. As time went along, I'd find more and more worms at the bottom of the pile. Now, I find so many worms, that I've decided not to turn the pile over any more, so as to not disturb the earthworms. It's amazing how you can attract beneficial insects to a garden through good planning!

[@Cutecat689]

So this is just a pile not a bin?

[@Steve197201]

@@Cutecat689 Exactly. I just put a pile of leaves and grass clippings in the corner of the yard. I stopped adding to the pile in the fall and just left it there to this day. I haven't even checked it in a couple of months. I'll see what it looks like in the spring.

[@Reindeer_jay]

Jumping worms?? 😳 off to google .. thanks for the video!

[@stephenhope7319]

Jumping frogs in Calavares County, Jumping beans in Mexico, now Jumping worms? Do they do the high jump or long jump :)

[@wilsgrant]

Great video as usual. Random question: what is your stance on high quality grow large bags for dwarf potted citrus trees? I have had great success with everything I have planted in grow bags, but the Millennial Gardner channel mentioned not to do it with trees because the roots can grow into the fabric? Thanks in advance for your time 🙏

[@GardenerScott]

I would hesitate to use the bags. The roots can grow into the sides, but that can help air prune excessive roots. I'm more concerned that they don't last as long as other container options and might need replacing sooner.

[@wilsgrant]

@@GardenerScott Thanks for the reply! I really want the air pruning and ease of mobility, so I think I'm going to go for it and just double up the highest thickness/quality grow bags I can find. Wish me luck.

[@dustyflats3832]

I have sandy soil with desert like microclimate. This soil was disrupted by past owners in a bad way. Apparently the watch dogs of this area looked the other way. Just over a decade ago there was nothing living here-only thing was a glut of cedars and oaks and a few pines and Asian elm. I wish I would have killed the black walnut on a vacant property next to us as I’m battling them now and I see it’s loaded with nuts. Nice shade trees but horrible to cleanup or grow a garden/orchard nearby. This year I’m happy to say I’ve seen red wigglers!! Grass snakes and tree frogs and toad or two. We barked all the paths and I use just low boards or none at all on my rows. I do have about 4 raised beds and soon found out they dry out too fast here. We have a nearby neighbor lady that has a nice huge pile of thrashed lawn clippings and leaves, pine needles. The past two years we’ve loaded our trailer full several times and piled it on the rows. Last year I dug the paths down between the 3’ rows and put the soil in the rows on top of the organic matter and filled the trenches with bark about a foot deep. It wasn’t fully broke down and next year it should be perfect. I’m so happy we found a great supplier this year of wood chips, we said just keep them coming as we need topsoil! We have mounds of them. The thing that made a huge difference as well was we installed drip irrigation!! Hooray! I just quick connect the two gardens to a hoses and no timer. So far it has been TERRIFIC! I couldn’t handle watering by hand as it was time and labor intensive as it takes so long to try and soak the soil when it gets so dried out. Now it drips slowly and soaks in and it really has made a difference. I’m still watching to see if I need to tweak layout and I do need to still add some lines, but the main part is done. It even helped a new canna bulb I thought was dead-IT SHOWED UP!😀 Organic material to feed the worms, shade if needed, but they need moisture. I seen a lot more robins in the garden this spring and thought they may be after the grubs and now I wonder if it wasn’t worms🧐. I used Milky Spore for the grubs and believe they are J. beetles. Great topic and yes, about 6 years ago I seen KZbin videos advocating getting the jumping worms to make quick compost and they were for sale. It’s too bad that was allowed.

[@mikebertrand5769]

Hi Scott. Thank you for all your knowledge and help…. From watching this video, I realize I have a lot of jumping worms in my compost pile. I thought I was doing a good job when I’m making my compost because every time I turn the pile I will see a lot of worms and I came to realize they are not the good ones….. do you have any suggestions what I could do so I could use my compost..

[@GardenerScott]

If you boost the nitrogen in the pile and get it to high heat it will kill them. You can try spreading it out to dry in the sun too before you use it.

[@sherylgordon9266]

I used to have earthworms, but since the drought, fire ants have moved into my garden beds and I haven’t seen any more worms. The fire ants not only try to eat me but I guess they eat earthworms too.😢

[@johnlashbaugh6194]

Tried adding worms to my Florida raised beds. The ants loved them. I do have a few in my compost bin and hope they spread across the property.

[@sherylgordon9266]

I can’t even urn my compost anymore because if I stand for more than 30 seconds my legs and feet will be covered. I think I’m going to just focus on perennials from now on.

[@Oktopia]

I have harvested my grow-bag potatoes and plan to keep the spent compost from them. I have bagged it all up in old plastic bags until I will blend it into and top up my spent beds. I will mix in bokashi and biochar to prep the bed for spring. Will the soil life aka earthworms handle being temporarily in the plastic bags while I wait for the beds to get emptied?

[@GardenerScott]

Worms may not survive in a plastic bag for more than a brief period.

[@Oktopia]

@@GardenerScott Thank you! I'll make sure to find a better place for the compost quickly. I don't want the little workers to suffer needlessly.

[@cherylramsey3409]

Interesting! Wow I guess the worm isn’t just a worm. They look all the same to me. Can I use ANECIC earthworm to improve Lifeless garden soil in my granddaughters garden, newly started zone 9 garden? The soil is predominantly builders sand and building rubble… I added a lot of earth grow brand compost/cow manure and a little of my own homegrown compost (I only have a very small compost ) with some mycorrhizae inoculant as I planted each plant. or should I start with epigeic or endogeic worms? Since I live less than 3 miles from my granddaughter, can I take some worms from my own establish garden and transplant them to her garden?

[@GardenerScott]

The Anecic earthworms can do a great job improving soil but because they move so deeply in the soil trying to there's no guarantee they'll stay in her garden. Supplying the compost and manure, along with leaves, can help.

[@tesuji2000]

I have heard that used coffee grounds attract worms. Is there any truth in that. Any comments would be appreciated.

[@GardenerScott]

Just about any organic matter in the soil makes it more attractive to worms. Coffee grounds are organic matter.

[@FrozEnbyWolf150]

I've got jumping worms in my garden, and unfortunately there's nothing I can do to get rid of them, because any measures that could kill jumping worms would also kill the other earthworm species. The only thing I can do is learn to live with them. They're good at breaking down woodchips and compostable materials, but you have to be very careful not to spread them to other areas.

[@Reindeer_jay]

I live in a semi arid Sandy desert area and we don’t have worms 😕

[@Mary-uz2tz]

What worms do I want that will survive -30f. and where to buy them?

[@GardenerScott]

It's difficult to find the deep burrowers. You might check a local bait shop to see what they have.

[@MrMikekenney120]

How rude (my family barraging me with various inquiries, while trying to endulge a bit watching the newest "Gardener Scott" video). Sneaking to the grow room for a little more privacy for a second viewing, sheesh...

[@Terri_Stauffer]

😂

[@joannmiller3020]

I'm in kingman az I have 2 compost bin, this last couple of months I can't find 1 worm

[@GardenerScott]

The summer heat is probably a factor.

[@HollyOak]

When you disrupt the soil life, you disrupt life.

[@janwilliams3545]

Hi Gardener Scott, I have a major question??!!! Am I wasting my money using worm castings, as I only have chlorinated water!!! DO you??? I thought most cities have chlorinated water??? I don’t have the space like you to collect water… this whole thing is confusing me!!! Can you help me?

[@GardenerScott]

I use worm castings and I have treated water. I don't think it's a waste of money. The water is not enough to kill all of the beneficial bacteria in the castings. If you allow the water to sit overnight before using helps the chlorine dissipate.

[@gordonstewart8258]

Any idea why five years of deep mulch, no chemicals, diverse plants, minimal disturbance has not developed a worm population? Clay soil, zone 5, plenty of rain. Other nearby lawns with chemicals shed worms whenever it rains. 😳

[@GardenerScott]

It's possible they're there, but not where you want yet and not in big numbers. Try rescuing some of those sidewalk worms and putting them in your beds.

[@gordonstewart8258]

@@GardenerScott Thanks. I have rescued a few and hoped for the best. I unearth one or two occasionally when digging up gladioli bulbs or uprooting mints. Maybe 3 per season. Lots of birds, insects, bunnies, two kinds of squirrels. I’ll keep on keeping on. The soil is still ready for pots and glaze in some spots, but full of arthropods and a few aggregates in others. So, progress is happening

[@artstamper316]

Same here, and no sidewalk worms to be seen after rain. 😢

[@petrusvandermerwe-ln7vs]

THZ LEARN FROM YOU