Red Wigglers in the Garden, Raised Beds, or Potted Plants

They say "half the job is using the right tools." The other half is using those tools correctly.

For soil health, a major tool is earthworms.

Let's talk about how to use them.

Understanding the Role of Earthworms in Soil Health

Charles Darwin spent some of his final years studying earthworms. After all of his years studying animals across the world, it was of earthworms that he said; 

"It may be doubted if there are any other animals which have played such an important part in the history of the world as these lowly organized creatures."

 

"Without the work of this humble creature, who knows nothing of the benefits he confers upon mankind, agriculture, as we know it, would be very difficult, if not wholly impossible.”

Earthworms put in the work! They play a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing soil health. These invertebrates are nature’s tillers, constantly burrowing and creating channels that enhance soil aeration, drainage, and fight compaction. Their movement through the soil mixes organic matter with mineral particles, promoting a well-structured and friable soil that is ideal for plant roots to thrive. As they digest organic matter, earthworms excrete nutrient-rich castings that are readily available to plants, boosting soil fertility and helping to sustain vigorous plant growth.

Their activity stimulates microbial populations, which are essential for nutrient cycling and soil fertility. Microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi break down organic matter into simpler compounds, which plants can easily absorb. This symbiotic relationship ensures a continuous supply of nutrients to the plants, leading to lush, green growth and bountiful harvests. 

Additionally, earthworms help in the decomposition of organic matter, converting it into humus—a dark, nutrient-rich component of soil that improves soil texture, moisture retention, and overall fertility.

Because of all these tremendous benefits, land used to be priced, in part, based on its earthworm population. Luckily its not like that anymore, so you don't need to worry about raised property taxes after you get your earthworm population built up again.

Composting Worms in Garden or Agricultural Soil

Can Red Wigglers Help Aerate My Soil?

Unlike regular earthworms, red wigglers thrive in the rich, decaying organic matter found in compost heaps rather than the mineral-rich soil. This is a notable difference, and you can read more about it here.

This means, although they're great at consuming organic matter and producing castings, they are not designed for tunneling and aerating mineral soil.

Only in certain conditions could red wigglers establish and thrive in actual mineral soil.

It would need to be high in organic matter, and the top 4-6 inches need to not be prone to drying out.

In gardens or raised beds this is definitely possible, but would be tricky in agricultural contexts.

If you're set on this route, I'd recommend staking out a 1-4 square foot area and only buying a small amount of worms to test to see if they take to that small test plot before making a big investment.

Can Composting Worms Still Benefit My Soil?

Fortunately, aeration is just one of the benefits of earthworms.

The benefits of worm castings, and the nutrients, hormones, and microbiology that come with it cannot be overlooked.

So although your soil may not be prepared to physically inhabit epigeic earthworms, you can still make it as though you had thousands of worms in the soil by keeping thousands of worms in a worm bin and transferring their castings into your soil as they are produced.

So I really prefer, and recommend, using a dedicated worm bin, since it will be optimized to produce more castings and worms than if those same worms were placed in your soil. 

Ultimately, this will enrich your soil more than placing worms directly in it.

Red Wigglers in Raised Beds

Raised beds offer a more controlled environment for gardening, and also for worm happiness.

Typically raised beds have lots of organic matter in them, and sometimes they are entirely filled with organic mixes that are mostly peat moss.

This makes them a more optimal candidate for hosting composting worms.

Regular watering is essential, especially during dry periods. Mulching the surface of the soil can help retain moisture and provide a habitat for the worms.

For worms to perform to their best capability and sustain their population, they will need a continual source of food, so you may also want to consider regularly burying food to the bed. The worms will pretty readily turn this organic waste into plant available nutrients.

A pound of worms per 20 square feet of raised bed is a good starting place.

Bury a handful or so of food in every couple square feet for the worms to munch on. You don't want to have too much decomposing foods in the same space where your plants are growing, so go light on the food.

Submerged Worm Bins

I still recommend a dedicated worm bin to produce castings and then transplant the castings into a raised bed, BUT if you are sure you want to have the worms directly in the raised bed, another option is to create an "in-ground worm bin."

In short, you make a DIY worm bin, but drill many holes around the sides that are large enough for worms to go through.

Then you submerge this worm bin in your raised bed, leaving the top couple inches exposed so you can still access the inside of the bin.

Besides being submerged, you can now treat it like a normal worm bin.

The worms are then free to come and leave through their bin and the rest of the bed - having a consistent source of food in the bin separate from where the plants roots are growing so you don't disturb them, but they can still go through the raised bed to deposit castings and do some aeration work as well.

Caution: Red Wigglers and Potted Plants

While red wigglers offer numerous benefits to garden soil and raised beds, their need for food makes it pretty impractical to have them in a potted plant.

Potted plants have limited space and a confined environment, which can pose challenges for maintaining the ideal conditions for red wigglers. 

Potted plants tend to dry out more quickly than garden soil or raised beds, which can create an inhospitable environment for red wigglers.

Another consideration is the limited space in pots. Red wigglers need enough organic matter to feed on and space to move around. In a confined pot, the available organic matter can be quickly depleted, leaving the worms without sufficient food.

Larger pots could provide more space and a better environment for red wigglers, allowing them to thrive and contribute to the health of your potted plants, but I really recommend just having a dedicated worm bin where the worms can produce castings like crazy, then you can move the castings into the soil. Mimicking as though the worms were there without the downsides.

Making a Dedicated Worm Bin And Transferring the Castings: My Favorite Option

Creating a dedicated worm bin is an excellent way to harness the power of red wigglers while maintaining control over their environment. A worm bin allows you to manage the conditions more precisely, ensuring the worms have the ideal habitat to thrive and produce nutrient-rich vermicompost in much more volume than if they were in a soil, raised bed, or pot.

To set up a worm bin, you’ll need a suitable container, bedding material, and red wigglers. The container can be a simple plastic bin with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. For bedding, materials such as shredded newspaper, cardboard, and coconut coir work well, providing a comfortable and moist environment for the worms. Add the bedding to the bin, moisten it, and then introduce the red wigglers. It’s important to maintain the right moisture levels, keeping the bedding damp but not soggy.

Feeding the worms is straightforward; simply add kitchen scraps such as fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells to the bin. Avoid adding meat, dairy, and oily foods, as these can attract pests and create unpleasant odors. As the worms consume the organic material, they produce castings that can be harvested and used as a potent fertilizer. Regularly adding fresh bedding and organic material ensures the worms have a continuous food supply and a healthy environment. A dedicated worm bin not only provides a sustainable way to manage organic waste but also produces high-quality compost that can significantly enhance the health and fertility of your garden soil, raised beds, or potted plants.

This is a very short version of our Ultimate Guide to Vermicomposting, which I recommend for anyone who wants to dabble with worms to read, so go read the full thing!

Using Worm Castings and Vermicompost in Your Garden

Incorporating vermicompost into your garden offers a multitude of benefits that can significantly enhance soil health and plant growth. Vermicompost is rich in essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and various micronutrients that are vital for plant development. These nutrients are released slowly, providing a steady supply of nourishment to plants over time. This helps promote robust root growth, lush foliage, and abundant flowering and fruiting.

In addition to its nutrient content, vermicompost improves soil structure and texture. The castings produced by red wigglers are highly humic, meaning they can help improve the soil’s ability to retain moisture and nutrients.

This is particularly beneficial in sandy soils, which tend to drain quickly, and in clay soils, which can become compacted. By enhancing soil structure, vermicompost creates an optimal environment for plant roots to access water and nutrients, leading to healthier and more resilient plants.

Moreover, vermicompost contains beneficial microorganisms that help suppress soil-borne diseases and pests. These microorganisms can outcompete harmful pathogens, reducing the incidence of plant diseases.

Additionally, the presence of beneficial microbes enhances soil biodiversity, promoting a healthy and balanced ecosystem. Using vermicompost in your garden not only provides essential nutrients but also supports overall soil health, leading to a more productive and sustainable gardening experience.

Integrating Vermicompost into Raised Beds and Potted Plants

Integrating vermicompost into raised beds and potted plants is a straightforward process that can yield remarkable results.

Regularly adding vermicompost to raised beds and potted plants can significantly enhance their health and productivity. The slow-release nutrients and beneficial microorganisms in vermicompost create a thriving environment for plants, promoting vigorous growth and abundant yields. By integrating vermicompost into your gardening routine, you can enjoy the benefits of healthier plants, improved soil fertility, and a more sustainable approach to gardening.

Applying Worm Castings to Raised Beds

For raised beds, start by incorporating a generous amount of vermicompost into the soil before planting. As much as 1/10th of the total volume. This ensures that the plants have immediate access to the nutrients and benefits provided by the compost.

Alternatively, you can top-dress the soil with vermicompost throughout the growing season to provide a continuous supply of nutrients. Simply spread a layer of vermicompost around the base of the plants and gently work it into the soil.

Many of the benefits of worm castings are water soluble, so as you water your bed the benefits will be carried by the water to your plant's roots.

Applying Worm Castings to Potted Plants

In potted plants, vermicompost can be mixed into the potting soil at the time of planting. A good rule of thumb is to mix one part vermicompost with four parts potting soil. This provides a nutrient-rich environment that supports healthy plant growth.

You can also use the "top-dress" method mentioned above.

Conclusion: Elevate Your Gardening Experience with Red Wigglers

Red wigglers are truly nature’s tiny superheroes, capable of transforming your garden into a thriving, nutrient-rich paradise. By understanding their role in soil health and harnessing their composting abilities, you can significantly enhance the fertility and productivity of your garden soil, raised beds, and potted plants.

The benefits of using red wigglers and vermicompost extend beyond just providing nutrients to your plants. They help improve soil structure, promote microbial activity, and suppress soil-borne diseases, creating a healthier and more resilient garden ecosystem. With the right care and maintenance, these remarkable worms can continuously recycle organic waste into valuable compost, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. 

Whether you choose to incorporate them directly into the soil or create a dedicated worm bin, red wigglers offer a sustainable and effective way to improve your gardening experience, leading to healthier plants and more bountiful harvests.