Raising Earthworms in the Field to Improve Soil: Master These Soil-Care Key Points

Many old farmers know that whether a plot of land has plenty of earthworms basically tells you whether that land is "alive." Earthworms burrow back and forth through the soil, and though they seem unremarkable, they are in fact the soil's natural "soil-loosening crew" and "fertilizer applicators." Today let's talk about how to give earthworms and the soil a chance, so the land grows richer the more you cultivate it.

What benefits do earthworms bring to the soil

First, as earthworms travel through the soil they leave behind a large number of channels, which can make the soil loose and breathable, so that when it rains, water seeps down more easily and waterlogging and root rot are reduced. Second, earthworms feed on decaying organic matter, and the worm castings they excrete are rich in nutrients, making them an excellent fertilizer for improving soil; many growers treat them as treasure. Furthermore, earthworms can fragment fallen leaves, crop residues and the like and mix them into the soil, speeding up the decomposition and transformation of organic matter, opening the way for soil microorganisms, and the entire soil ecosystem becomes more active along with it. It can be said that plots with plenty of earthworms generally do not lack good water- and fertilizer-holding capacity.

How to protect earthworms in the field

If you want earthworms to stay in the ground, the key is to give them a suitable "home." First, use rotary tillers for frequent deep plowing less often; plowing disrupts the earthworms' channels and easily harms the worms themselves, so plots where conditions allow should be no-till or shallow-till and turned as little as possible. Second, use pesticides scientifically; excessive use of insecticides and herbicides is very harmful to earthworms, so before spraying, it is worth thinking about these "helpers" in the ground. Third, add more organic matter; returning straw to the field and applying more thoroughly decomposed farmyard manure can both provide a food source for earthworms. Fourth, manage water well; if the soil is dry for a long time or waterlogged for a long time, earthworms cannot stay, so keeping it moist but not waterlogged is ideal.

Households and small vegetable gardens can also raise earthworms

Readers with a vegetable garden or balcony can also try vermicomposting. Use a box with a lid or an old wooden crate, spread in moist shredded paper and fallen leaves, put in the earthworms, then chop up kitchen scraps such as fruit peels and vegetable leaves and feed them in small amounts several times; after a while you can harvest worm castings, which are very popular for raising seedlings and growing vegetables. Note that fresh manure, greasy leftovers, and things that are too salty or too acidic should not be fed, as they easily attract pests and smell bad; in summer pay attention to shading and cooling, in winter pay attention to keeping warm, and just keep the material in the box moist.

Caring for the land is like caring for people: when the soil is fertile, crops grow well, and the amount of chemical fertilizer and pesticides can also gradually come down. Starting from plowing one less time and returning straw one more time, give earthworms a chance, which is also a chance for the soil and, even more, a chance for our own dinner tables.