When we moved into Green Dean HQ in March 2010, one of the first things I set about doing was checking our soil, compost, mulch and of course worm numbers around our gardens. Luckily, our soil was rich in worms, probably thanks due to the previous occupants who were largely organic. If you’re soil is not that good, you can start to condition it to attract worms by enriching it with manure, compost and more nutrients.

Compost worms love coffee grounds, egg shells, wood ash, strawberries, watermelon and banana. They will thrive in warm, humid, moist conditions, but will drown or leave if it’s too wet or too dry. Also add leaves and a handful of lime every few weeks to increase soil bacteria, which worms love to eat. And if your worms breed out of control, either start a second worm farm or give someone you know with a garden a worm farm as an earthy gift. (If you’ve got chooks, they will also appreciate some ‘wriggly spaghetti’.)

Worms are essential for healthy soil. As they move underground, they aerate the soil, which boosts water retention, and leave behind their droppings (called castings) which make fantastic fertilizer. There are around 2,700 species of worms in the world. The longest of them is 4 metres. when I was child on the farm, I remember seeing some up to 1m when my dad was ploughing or digging deep in the earth. The giant Gippsland earthworm in Australia grows to be 3m long. The digaster worm can be as thick as garden hose, and is found near Kyogle, NSW.

Worm farming is reasonably easy and worm farms are readily available these days from nurseries, produces and Bunnings, including the worm kits. Worm farms are also varied in shape and size, and it is easy to make your own.

If you’re in SE Qld visit www.wormsdownunder.com.au. And if you’d like some help to start worm farming, join one of our Creature Comforts workshops to learn more.

So now when someone asks you about worms, you can’t say I don’t have a clew. (A group or colony of worms is called a clew.)