Earthworms
I've started two new gardens this year, in the closest thing to pure potter's clay I've seen.
One is in the backyard, and the other in the Community Garden. I've now double dug and heavily amended 2000 square feet of garden beds. With all that digging, I uncovered less than 20 earthworms. This is ridiculous.
I went for a walk in the woods today to find some, and dug in a few spots heavy with leaf mold and came up with a dozen more. That small number made me a little guilty about "stealing" them from the wild. I read somewhere that in 1491 there weren't any earthworms in the Americas, so obviously if I keep amending the soil over time they will reproduce, but I'm wondering if I should buy some. Does anyone have any idea how long it will take for my existing few worms to reproduce enough to make a difference. Or any sources of grey earthworms would be appreciated.
One is in the backyard, and the other in the Community Garden. I've now double dug and heavily amended 2000 square feet of garden beds. With all that digging, I uncovered less than 20 earthworms. This is ridiculous.
I went for a walk in the woods today to find some, and dug in a few spots heavy with leaf mold and came up with a dozen more. That small number made me a little guilty about "stealing" them from the wild. I read somewhere that in 1491 there weren't any earthworms in the Americas, so obviously if I keep amending the soil over time they will reproduce, but I'm wondering if I should buy some. Does anyone have any idea how long it will take for my existing few worms to reproduce enough to make a difference. Or any sources of grey earthworms would be appreciated.