Introduction To Amazing Facts About Earthworms

Worm farming is a pretty cool hobby that can keep us connected to nature but also helps us reduce waste and create organic fertilizers for our gardens. If you’re a worm farm enthusiast, or you’re considering starting your worm farm, here are some amazing facts about earthworms that can help you learn more about these lowly creatures.

Earthworms are complex creatures

Contrary to their simple appearance, earthworms are complex creatures that have five hearts and a fully functional circulatory system, calciferous glands for digesting food, a saddle for secreting

mucus for egg capsules, a brain, and a central nervous system, and hundreds of similar organs like the kidneys. They also have both male and female reproductive organs, which allows them to reproduce on their own.

Worm castings make great fertilizer

Worm tea, also known as worm urine, and worm castings, or worm manure, are both excellent fertilizers for plants. They are especially beneficial for fattening up garden ornamental plants or

vegetables. Worm castings are rich in nutrients that plants need to grow, and they improve the soil’s structure and water retention.

Worms play a vital role in decomposition

Worms aid in the decomposition process, which is essential for breaking down dead plant and animal matter. Without worms, withered plants and leaves, as well as the carcasses of dead

animals, would pile up and add up to unkempt clutter. Worms help turn these organic wastes into rich, nutrient-dense soil.

Worms come in many varieties

There are more than 4,000 worm species with over 2,500 varieties. The largest earthworm known to man was found in South Africa and measured an unbelievable 22 feet from the tip of its nose to

the end of its tail. Worms have been around for 120 million years, and their anatomy has remained largely unchanged.

Composting is an environmentally-friendly alternative

When food and garden waste are dumped into a landfill, organic nutrients resulting from decomposition play a key part in today’s environmental problems, from water pollution to the

production of deadly greenhouse gases. Composting these organic wastes and worm farming are alternative options for producing homemade organic fertilizers. More than half of all household

garbage is leftover food and garden waste, making composting a practical and cost-effective option.

Worms are highly sensitive creatures

Worms are highly sensitive creatures that can feel vibrations on the ground. Most composting worms that are usually used for worm farms do not have eyes but are keen

creatures that can sense vibrations, light, and varying temperatures through specially-made and unique organs found in their skin. If worms don’t like the conditions around them, the

temperature, or the built-up moisture in the worm boxes, they will attempt to leave the area and look for another habitat. If they don’t find a new home in different or suitable composted material, they die on their own.

Worms can reproduce rapidly

If the worm population is well-maintained it will double every 2-3 months, and given the right conditions, adult worms can produce up to 12 offspring per week.

In conclusion

worm farming is an exciting and rewarding hobby that can help us reduce waste and create valuable fertilizers for our gardens. These amazing facts about worms will hopefully inspire you to

learn more about these fascinating creatures and their role in our ecosystem.

Some Useful Links For You

Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm

A top supplier of red wigglers, European nightcrawlers, and other composting worms. They offer a range of worm-related products, including worm bins and books on composting.

With over 40 years of experience, their website is a great resource for those interested in worm composting.

The Urban Worm Company

They specialize in providing high-quality red wiggler worms and vermicomposting supplies for urban and indoor composting. They offer a variety of products, including worm bins, composting

kits, and worm castings. With a focus on sustainability, the Urban Worm Company is dedicated to helping people reduce their waste and improve their soil health.

They also offer commercial worm farming equipment if you’re ever looking to start worm farming for profit.