When I started gardening, I knew earthworms were good—but I didn’t realize just how much of a game-changer they are. They naturally aerate the soil, bring in nutrients, and basically do the hard work underground so your plants thrive. The best part? You don’t need anything fancy to bring them in. Here’s exactly what worked for me.
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I Fed the Soil, Not Just the Plants
I started mixing compost and aged manure right into the soil. Earthworms love it. I also covered the beds with straw and leaf litter, which slowly broke down and became their buffet. -
I Kept Things Moist (but Not Muddy)
Turns out worms breathe through their skin, so dry soil is a no-go. I started watering more consistently—not a ton, just enough to keep the ground damp. I also stopped stepping all over the beds to avoid compacting the soil. -
I Ditched the Chemicals
Once I gave up synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, the worms came back. Instead, I planted companion crops, used neem oil, and let nature balance itself out. Earthworms thrive in a chemical-free zone. -
I Left a Few “Messy” Corners
Not every part of your garden needs to be tidy. I left one corner with leaves, small branches, and shade. That became the earthworm hangout. Bonus: fewer weeds popped up too.
What Changed?
After a few weeks, I started noticing more worm castings (the little soil nuggets they leave behind) and looser, healthier soil. My plants started growing faster and looked stronger. It’s like they brought the garden to life from below.