From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Cedar Lake, IN.

Can someone tell me why I have fewer worms in my patch now than I had in the beginning of the season? I did use sevein to get rid of the cucumber beatles. OM IS 5.5%.

11/14/2009 2:27:20 PM

Long Island,New York

Run the tiller through the patch and you'll have 2-3 times more.

11/14/2009 2:30:17 PM

Cedar Lake, IN.

I've added 8 in. of compost/ manure and tilled it in on Oct. 10th.
8 shovel fulls and two worms? Mg. is at 30% of course too high could this do it?

11/14/2009 2:55:01 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Kurty,

We're growing Pumpkins. Not worms. Sevin does kill worms. What rate was applied?

11/14/2009 6:04:46 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

The magnesium isn't a problem. Add Calcium & Potash if they're deficient but don't sweat ratios.

11/14/2009 6:07:57 PM

Bloomington, IN

Did you notice it in the past few days or on Oct. 10th? Could be because of the colder weather. The colder it gets the further down in the soil they go.

11/14/2009 11:15:16 PM

Cedar Lake, IN.

Tremor, I can't remember but it(sevein) was twice of what the instructions said. Pumpkin cholo, I look yesterday (11-14-09). I dug at the edge of the garden and found worms 2 to 3 in each shovel full. What bothers me about the worms is: what else am I killing or running out of the soil that needs to be there.

11/15/2009 7:35:14 AM

Cedar Lake, IN.

I just want to thank everyone for helping out. I believe I have a responsibility to do the very best I can for the growers of the seed that was given to me.

11/15/2009 7:53:14 AM

The bottom of New Jersey

In my experience, I've never known rototilling to cause the worm population to increase. It's a common misconception that a chopped up worm will regrow into multiple worms. In fact there's growing evidence that avoiding rototilling is the best thing for your soil and all of the life in it. While it is true that we are trying to grow pumpkins, a healthy worm population is a very good indicator of overall soil health. And believe me, I love my rototiller! :)

Here's link to lots of good earthworm info: http://www.wormdigest.org/content/view/200/2/

11/15/2009 10:46:00 AM

Long Island,New York

Dude ...it was a joke....a very old one

11/15/2009 11:04:03 AM

so telling the one about worms moving south in the winter is out of place g?

11/15/2009 11:45:29 AM

Long Island,New York

Personally I think since its hunting season you just can't see them cause its cold and they are wearing camo coats.

11/15/2009 12:14:30 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

High temps, drought, salty ferts, sevin, benomyl, tilling,,,,they all impact earthworms temporarily. Golf courses with old native soil "pushup" greens are a disaster with worm castings screwing up the ball track. Mowing greens with earthworm castings is a disaster. I've tried to eradicate earthworm invasions. They always come back. Even Chlordane wears off eventually. LOL

11/15/2009 12:49:59 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

If you are worried about your worms, use a fork for tillage instead of a tiller or shovel. If the sevin is killing the worms, switch to garlic. Garlic has fairly well eliminated my cucumber beetle problems. Sprinkle it on at planting and keep adding more throughtout the season.

11/15/2009 6:40:38 PM

The bottom of New Jersey

Sorry I didn't get the joke there, LIpumpkin. Perhaps a couple cubic yards of Viagra in the patch will get those worms multiplying! :)

11/16/2009 11:59:51 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Coffee grounds, leaves, compost, manure, etc will promote worms and healthier plants.

11/16/2009 8:50:10 PM