Can an Earth Worm Survive Better in Red Dirt or Black Soil?

Earthworms prefer moist ground for tunnelling.

An earthworm can survive better in black soil than in red dirt or red clay soil unless there is help from a gardener to help make the red dirt more comfortable for the worms.

Significance

Earthworms easily dry up when exposed to light and so prefer to stay in damp, crumby ground. Black soil tends to be this consistency, while red dirt tends to be hard-packed.

Treatment

Earthworms also tunnel through soil or dirt in order to eat it. Tilling or turning soil over frequently can help keep ground loose enough for the worms to move through and get enough food.

Misconception

The type of soil or dirt is not as important to raising earthworms as other factors. These include how moist the soil is, keeping the soil temperature between 60 to 80 degrees F and maintaining a pH level of 7.0, according to Texas A&M University Extension.

References

• North Carolina University: Raising Earthworms Successfully
• NASA: What Makes a Soil Red?
• Texas A&M University: Home Worm Production
• U.S. Department of Agriculture: The 12 Orders of Soil Taxonomy

Resources

• Red Dirt Gardening
• U.S. Department of Agriculture: Soils