How to Find Worms for a Garden

A Collection of Worms

Worms are good for your garden. They break down organic material and leave behind their waste in the form of castings. The benefit of worm castings in your soil is immense since worm castings provide your plants with an easily absorbed source of nutrient rich food. In addition to providing nutrients for your soil, worms aerate the soil so that there is oxygen at the plant’s roots. If you improve the quality of your soil, you will increase the number of worms in your soil because worms multiply rapidly to meet the available food source. However, if your yard has a low worm population and you want to give the worms a population boost, go on a worm hunt to find worms to add to your garden.

Things You'll Need

• A bucket or container (preferably one with a lid)

Instructions

1. Take a walk on an overcast day either after a steady rain or during a light sprinkle.

2. As you walk, examine the path in front of you for worms. The rain will bring the worms up and you will find them creeping across the trail or popping out of the soil next to it.

3. Whenever you find a living worm, pick it up and put it in your container. If you do not like the idea of picking up a worm with your bare hands, use a small stick and slip it under the worm and use it to deposit the worm in your container.

4. When you’ve collected as many worms as you want, return home.

5. Deposit the worms in your garden where you want them to live. Place them under the covering of leaves or put a piece of paper over them to prevent birds from eating the worms.

Tips & Warnings

• The best place to find worms is on walking trails or sidewalks.

• Walk on an overcast day, worms are sensitive to light and will not be out if the sun is shining.

• Night crawlers exude a sticky substance when in danger so do not be surprised to discover that your worms are slimy.

• Encourage worms to remain where you want them in the garden, mulch the area well so that they have sufficient organic material for food.

• A container with a lid is preferable. Active worms can crawl up the side of a bucket and out of a container remarkably fast.

• If you do enclose your worms in a container, poke holes in the lid or open it periodically to ensure that the worms have sufficient oxygen.

Resources

• Worm Facts