Earthworms:
There are about 3000 species of earthworms in the world. The UK has about 27 different species. Earthworm sizes can be anything up to 2 metres in length, and they can live up to 6 years, but are a food source for many animals. They like to live in a soil with. pH between 5 and 8, but prefer a slightly acidic soil.
Earthworms are. divided into three distinct groups depending on where they live in the soil. Epigeic are surface burrower's living in organic matter on the surface, they may be found in leaf litter. Endogeic are worms that burrow horizontally in the top 30 cm of soil. Lastly Anecic worms that live in permanent vertical burrows up to 2 metres deep into the soil. These worms pull down into the soil organic matter and leave the worm casts on the surface of ok soil.
The worms you find in your compost bin are called tiger worms or red wrigglers. These are the worms that people use in wormeries. worms only appear in your compost in the final stages of compost decomposition.
The distribution of earthworms in different soils is not fully known however in an organically rich soil there are about 2 million in the area of a football pitch.
Earthworms are definitely the gardener's friend. So why is this so? Why are earthworms so good for the soil? Earthworms burrows allow water and air to penetrate into the soil, they mix the different layers of the soil and pull organic matter into the soil all beneficial to the soil and your plants. Their worm cast are rich in plant nutrients and a great soil improver as are secretions from the worm, making the soil crumblier and improving the structure of the soil.
Aristotle said that "Earthworms are the intestines of the earth" it is a very apt description. They eat organic matter in the soil grinding it up into small pieces. This increases the organic matters surface area this allows more bacteria to act on the organic matter releasing nutrients for your plants. Their worm casts are richer in nutrients and minerals than the surrounding soil, they also leave nutrients lining their worm holes due to secretions left behind.
The intestine of the earthworm has extremely important actions on the soil. The intestine is full of nutrients and microbes. Earthworms eat organic matter, soil and probably some bacteria . The front part of their intestine secretes digestive juices that eat bacteria. The juices burst pathogens whilst leaving the good bacteria untouched. Some bacteria actually flourish inside the intestines, whilst many pathogens decrease in numbers. There seems to be a symbiotic relationship between the worm and some bacteria. The earthworm has a positive effect on bacteria that release nitrogen from organic matter or capture nitrogen from the air. Also, bacteria that make soluble phosphates from minerals in the soil. There are many complex interactions between the worm and bacteria and bacteria amongst themselves. However, a lot is not known exactly what goes on as the soil bacteria will not grow in a petri dish, so we cannot study them very well. The bacteria, fungi and other microbial life are passed into the soil via the earthworm's wormcasts. This affects local populations of microbial life in the soil. All these actions combined with their numbers truly make them the intestines of the soil.
December:
Plan what you’re going to grow next year and where, keep in mind crop rotation.
Place your seed orders.
Why not try one new vegetable or fruit to grow next year?
Tidy and rough dig plot incorporating well-rotted manure/compost for next year if ground not too wet. Frost will break the soil for you. Just hit it with a fork in the spring at the time the soil dries out to form a fine tilth
Do not manure ground where carrots and parsnips are to grow next year, unless you are following no-dig cultivation.
Plant garlic, if your soil tends to be waterlogged then make a hole with a broomstick fill with sharp sand add the clove; top the hole with an inch of compost.
Sow onions in seed boxes/modules in a greenhouse at the end of the month
Removing any yellowing leaves from your winter brassicas. Keep them netted!
Turn the compost heap over to introduce air.
·Ensure compost bins are covered to prevent rain leaching the nutrients and to keep some of the heat of decomposition in.
·Take care not to harm hedgehogs or bumble bees when turning compost heap
Make leafmould from leaves, its free and improves soil structure. It helps water retention.
Take hardwood cuttings of soft fruit. Gooseberries, red, white and black currants, worcesterberries, jostaberries
Split rhubarb if plants they are old and becoming less productive.
Plant bare rooted fruit trees and bushes.
Prune apple and pear trees.
Cut down canes of autumn-fruiting raspberries.
Lift carrots to prevent pest damage. Store in damp sand or peat in a shed.
Check stored potatoes
There are about 3000 species of earthworms in the world. The UK has about 27 different species. Earthworm sizes can be anything up to 2 metres in length, and they can live up to 6 years, but are a food source for many animals. They like to live in a soil with. pH between 5 and 8, but prefer a slightly acidic soil.
Earthworms are. divided into three distinct groups depending on where they live in the soil. Epigeic are surface burrower's living in organic matter on the surface, they may be found in leaf litter. Endogeic are worms that burrow horizontally in the top 30 cm of soil. Lastly Anecic worms that live in permanent vertical burrows up to 2 metres deep into the soil. These worms pull down into the soil organic matter and leave the worm casts on the surface of ok soil.
The worms you find in your compost bin are called tiger worms or red wrigglers. These are the worms that people use in wormeries. worms only appear in your compost in the final stages of compost decomposition.
The distribution of earthworms in different soils is not fully known however in an organically rich soil there are about 2 million in the area of a football pitch.
Earthworms are definitely the gardener's friend. So why is this so? Why are earthworms so good for the soil? Earthworms burrows allow water and air to penetrate into the soil, they mix the different layers of the soil and pull organic matter into the soil all beneficial to the soil and your plants. Their worm cast are rich in plant nutrients and a great soil improver as are secretions from the worm, making the soil crumblier and improving the structure of the soil.
Aristotle said that "Earthworms are the intestines of the earth" it is a very apt description. They eat organic matter in the soil grinding it up into small pieces. This increases the organic matters surface area this allows more bacteria to act on the organic matter releasing nutrients for your plants. Their worm casts are richer in nutrients and minerals than the surrounding soil, they also leave nutrients lining their worm holes due to secretions left behind.
The intestine of the earthworm has extremely important actions on the soil. The intestine is full of nutrients and microbes. Earthworms eat organic matter, soil and probably some bacteria . The front part of their intestine secretes digestive juices that eat bacteria. The juices burst pathogens whilst leaving the good bacteria untouched. Some bacteria actually flourish inside the intestines, whilst many pathogens decrease in numbers. There seems to be a symbiotic relationship between the worm and some bacteria. The earthworm has a positive effect on bacteria that release nitrogen from organic matter or capture nitrogen from the air. Also, bacteria that make soluble phosphates from minerals in the soil. There are many complex interactions between the worm and bacteria and bacteria amongst themselves. However, a lot is not known exactly what goes on as the soil bacteria will not grow in a petri dish, so we cannot study them very well. The bacteria, fungi and other microbial life are passed into the soil via the earthworm's wormcasts. This affects local populations of microbial life in the soil. All these actions combined with their numbers truly make them the intestines of the soil.
December:
Plan what you’re going to grow next year and where, keep in mind crop rotation.
Place your seed orders.
Why not try one new vegetable or fruit to grow next year?
Tidy and rough dig plot incorporating well-rotted manure/compost for next year if ground not too wet. Frost will break the soil for you. Just hit it with a fork in the spring at the time the soil dries out to form a fine tilth
Do not manure ground where carrots and parsnips are to grow next year, unless you are following no-dig cultivation.
Plant garlic, if your soil tends to be waterlogged then make a hole with a broomstick fill with sharp sand add the clove; top the hole with an inch of compost.
Sow onions in seed boxes/modules in a greenhouse at the end of the month
Removing any yellowing leaves from your winter brassicas. Keep them netted!
Turn the compost heap over to introduce air.
·Ensure compost bins are covered to prevent rain leaching the nutrients and to keep some of the heat of decomposition in.
·Take care not to harm hedgehogs or bumble bees when turning compost heap
Make leafmould from leaves, its free and improves soil structure. It helps water retention.
Take hardwood cuttings of soft fruit. Gooseberries, red, white and black currants, worcesterberries, jostaberries
Split rhubarb if plants they are old and becoming less productive.
Plant bare rooted fruit trees and bushes.
Prune apple and pear trees.
Cut down canes of autumn-fruiting raspberries.
Lift carrots to prevent pest damage. Store in damp sand or peat in a shed.
Check stored potatoes