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Earthworms ???

This may be a dumb idea but ill ask. Has anyone ever added earthworms to their container plants? Would this be a good idea?
 
Lets think about why earthworms help the soil
1) Loosen soil and allow air near roots
2) Loosen soil and allow water to flow through
3) Eat organic matter and convert to nutrient rich "castings"
 
Earthworms will benefit your pots for 1 and 2. whether you will get a benefit for #3 depends on your soil composition, but I imagine you didn't use many leaves when you were making your potting mix.
 
I'm not going to be buying worms for my pots, but like Joyners said, its worth tossing them in if you see one.
 
     I use a soilless mix mainly made up of peat and bark fines and I do the same as Chris - I just toss them in if I find them after a rainstorm.
     As long as the container doesn't get too hot and can maintain enough moisture when it starts getting really hot and dry, I think they like it in there. I know they multiply because I occasionally see young worms even though I only add adults.
 
Gorizza said:
Lets think about why earthworms help the soil
1) Loosen soil and allow air near roots
2) Loosen soil and allow water to flow through
3) Eat organic matter and convert to nutrient rich "castings"
 
Earthworms will benefit your pots for 1 and 2. whether you will get a benefit for #3 depends on your soil composition, but I imagine you didn't use many leaves when you were making your potting mix.
 
I'm not going to be buying worms for my pots, but like Joyners said, its worth tossing them in if you see one.
 
     Worms also "eat" soil. They ingest dirt and digest the microbes living therein.
 
 
They find their way in on their own and, as said above, even make it through some winters. For plants I bring inside, changing the soil in my pots or bringing them in from the garage (figs) releases a slew of worms, pill bugs, and beetles. And this year, sugar ants :tear:
 
I think it was Nigel from Hippie Seed that said run off from their worm farm makes for hotter peppers.  But they do so much good for your soil that I am sure it cant hurt.  My kids pick them up and toss them in when they see them.  Have never noticed super plants, but hey it cant hurt.
 
Worms in your container are a good idea whether you use soil or no soil
They will turn potting mix into beautiful vermicompost
 
Gorizza said:
 
Are sugar ants bad? Its not like we need the nectar...
 

I'm also a beekeeper, so when the sugar ants are teleported into the living space and find the honey pot...aargh...they get into everything. Cereal boxes, this box, that box. Not bad, but really annoying.
 
The_NorthEast_ChileMan said:
 
That's what I was wondering. Not sure if I want to turn my dollars spent on potting soil into worm poop or just use my own vermicompost?
 
If you put down vermicompost, they will find their way into the containers anyway as it will contain many cocoons 
If you use salt based fertilisers, the worms will not stay in there
 
Always finding them in my containers when repotting. Glad I have garden gloves!
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