Lack of worms in my garden ???

[Caro]

Hi,

I've just created two raised beds next to my shiny new greenhouse, and in a separate area of the garden have planted a small olive tree and some mediterranean herbs. While doing all this digging and raking I spotted not one worm!

The soil in the raised beds looks lovely and is reclaimed from what was dug out for the greenhouse foundation and paths. The beds are very close to a decent sized lawn. Presumably I didn't look close enough when digging or the worms have temporarily scarpered because of the disruption?

The mediterranean area may be a different story though. It's a 7ft x 7ft section surrounded by paths and paving. There is barrier matting on top of the soil, then bark, with my plants poking through holes cut into the weed barrier. The soil here seems to have a much more clay-like texture. Have we made a huge mistake? Do worms need to get to the surface to survive? Is the weed barrier stopping them doing their stuff? I lost my first olive tree and would like this one to survive!

All help and advice hugely appreciated.

Many thanks

Caro

[Flummery]

I couldn't say really - about the weed barrier I mean. They manage to get into pots - even quite small ones, so I shouldn't think it will affect them. However, I had the devil's own job to find a few worms for the chickens yesterday. I thought I'd dig a few up for them. They barely got one titchy one each!

[lynda66]

i had no worms in my soil in the front garden too alkaline ... but now i've sorted the problem then rotavated the very compact soil ....and added plenty of compost with worms in .... the worm life appears to now be flourishing

the more organic matter you can get in with them the more worms will come and help, they don't seem to like compact soil

[teakdesk]

If the soil was from foundations (ie from deep down) it could be sub-soil rather than top soil. Worms prefer to live in top-soil and avoid sub-soil.


DO NOT TRY THIS....
When I was at school we tested a lawn for worms by watering with a sugar solution and then counting how many worms came to the surface attracted by the sugar. Took about 30 minutes. Try it on your lawn and I think you'll find loads of worms.


After typing the above bit I did a quick check on the net and, whilst sugar is not harmful to earthworms, it can kill other life in the soil. Please do not try it !!!!!

You live and learn !!

[Suky]

I have just lifted the weed suppressant from what was a gravel bed and dug it over. It was very compacted but about a foot down the wrigglers were flourishing. Perhaps it depends on the soil type?

[IgglePiggle]

My garden was like that when we moved in but after digging it over and planting flowers etc in it, there is loads out there now! If its raised beds I would give them time to move in

[janeyo]

I have parts of the garden (the flower beds mainly) that are dry and I am slowly digging them over and the worms are slowly coming. It was new garden last year, before had brick and sruff on them. If I find lots of worms in the veggies patch which is full of them I sometimes transfer them to the dry flower areas.

Think igglepiggle is right you just have to be patient and they will come!

[Flummery]

But my garden's been cultivated for veg for 10 years. It gets all my home made compost - full of worms when I put it on the beds. But now - as we speak - wormless. I think they've gone on their hols!

[taff]

I haven't seen many when I've dug out the beds in the past, but when I plant now, or dig over, there's great big enormous ones, and lots of smaller ones. Give them a chance to move house.

[Caro]

Thanks to everyone for their input ... I'll see what I can do about breaking up the soil more and introducing more organic matter.

Here's hoping I lure them in from the neighbours!

Thanks again

Caro

[Two_Sheds]

. I'll see what I can do about breaking up the soil more and introducing more organic matter.

Worms prefer to pull down their own food ... so mulch the surface, don't dig it in.
If the soil is dry the worms will go deeper down, so you may not see them. I'm not finding many at the moment, but I know they're there.

[Flummery]

I think mine are further down than I'm prepared to fossick for the chooks' treat. And further down than I'm prepared to let THEM dig!

[IgglePiggle]

You could always get some leaves and make a small pile and leave it for a few days, then when you check it should have worms in/under it.