Earthworms: Nature's Original Gardeners

Earthworms aren't just bait — they're soil engineers. Present in nearly all soils; healthier soil means more worms. They breathe through skin (need air and moisture, but not waterlogging). Four common types: nightcrawlers (8–10", anglers' favorite), garden worms (5–7", damp soils), manure worms (4–5", manure-rich), red worms (3–4", most commercial).

Why Gardens Need Worms

Tunneling aerates soil, improves drainage, creates water-holding channels, and supports beneficial bacteria breaking down organic matter. Castings (vermicompost) — pinhead-sized excrement — condition soil: improve porosity, moisture retention, plant growth, and pest/disease resistance.

Boost Your Worm Population

Add organic matter — worms seek it out relentlessly. They till and fertilize simultaneously. As Darwin noted: "The plow is one of man's most ancient inventions; but long before he existed, the land was regularly plowed by earthworms... few animals have played so important a part in the history of the world."