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Location

Message

Date Posted

Central Pennsylvania lauralie1978@yahoo.com

I know that worms are very important. Do the redworms and nightcrawlers they sell at bait shops hold up as well as native born worms? I know that the bait worms are bred for special qualities and I didn't know if anyone has an opinion on this one.

3/27/2006 9:36:14 PM

lots of info about various worms etc on the net.
Most bait worms are fussy about feed and temp,,

In my mind and garden "build it (the soil) and they will come" as Lisa has said.

check out Monty's "How to" in that area of this site if you are interested in worm compost/castings for side dressing and tea uses, great stuff and well worth the time and effort

3/27/2006 10:57:40 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

From a conservationist standpoint, you shouldn't intentionally introduce canadian night crawlers to your soil. I know, fishermen do it all the time, oh well. I agree with the others just work on your soil.
Jim

3/28/2006 3:43:13 PM

Fredericksburg, Virginia

I have done some research before I started a worm bin, and the transplanted worms will not adjust well to your garden soil.

I agree with the other posts, that if you add as much organic material to your soil, the native worms will move in.

3/30/2006 12:42:45 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Released bait worms can establish in your soil depending on how & when they're released. How they do does depend on soil type & the amendments added. Fresher manures encourage red & manure worms. We have done well with "Canadian Nightcrawlers" probably due to Peat Moss amendments we added. Why they're called Canadian ia a mystery since Canada has no native worms. We've released the bait worm called "Gillies" & never did find one alive.

Here is a good read on worms.

http://res2.agr.ca/london/faq/earth-terre_e.htm#Reference_Articles

3/30/2006 1:43:01 PM

Midwest

On days of heavy rain the worms crawl onto the street and sidewalk, stone pathways and concrete steps. They just want to not drown I guess. I pick them up and toss them into the patch around the stump or along the vines. Or, toss them on top of the leaves/compost. In about 4 weeks theres more worms in there than ever! The worms are native and you're saving them from suicide:) !

3/30/2006 1:46:25 PM