Worms are unpaid garden workers that help to break up hardpan and dense soil that are uncomfortable for plant roots. See ‘Types of worms’ activity for more information.

After 10 minutes, use a trowel to remove a chunk of the turf in the marked area, if there are many worms present in this extracted soil, consider digging a few holes and extracting the worms present in these.Ī simple worm divider can be made with a laminated sheet with the 4 groups of worms marked out and yogurt pots attached beneath, this allows learners to separate the worms into their categories at collection.

Wait and collect the worms that appear.

Add a teaspoon of mustard powder to another 10 litres of water and apply again to marked area.

Wait a number of minutes and some worms should begin to appear at the surface.A watering can with a rose is preferable. Warm water is preferable, apply 10 litres gently over the marked area.Mark out a square, 1m on each side with the string and a stake in each corner.Mark out 1m2 with the string and stakes, 2 minutes. Examining the worms that exist in a soil environment.Understanding the physiological and environmental needs of worms.These simple methods for extracting worms can be used with learners of all ages, with fun aspects such as a rain dance incorporated for younger learners.

However, it is worthwhile examining your own soils prior to spending money. While you may also struggle to find any of the composting types of worms in a soil with little organic matter.įor those who need to import worms it is possible to buy composting worms as it is the anecic worms which are sold as fresh water fish bait. Those with imported soil (top soil is commonly placed on amenity areas or recently landscaped) may find that the soil is not deep enough for the deep burrowing worms. Worms operate at different levels in the soil and not all soil makes appealing or suitable habitats for worms. If you are wanting to categorise or build your own worm jars, you’ll need some worms to look at and utilise.

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