No dig gardening

[rary]

This year I have been putting garden waste straight onto the soil after I have put it through the shredder, the reason for this is that it saves the space a compost bin would take up I don't need to turn the compost, plus any liquid from the waste go's straight into the soil for feeding, as the material composts the worms are supposed to pull it into the soil thereby helping the soil structure, will my soil structure still benefit from this method even though I don't have worms in the garden

[veggiechicken]

Its a mulch and will compost over time - whether or not you have worms
Has to be good, in my opinion (NB I'm nuts)

[Lumpy]

We must be related Rary as I do a similar thing on my little raised besd except I get the small diggery doo (small hand shovel) and give it a quick poke around at the same time.

p,s It's called the diggery doo when we can find it and the diggery don't when it has gone missing again.

[Penellype]

This year I have been putting garden waste straight onto the soil after I have put it through the shredder, the reason for this is that it saves the space a compost bin would take up I don't need to turn the compost, plus any liquid from the waste go's straight into the soil for feeding, as the material composts the worms are supposed to pull it into the soil thereby helping the soil structure, will my soil structure still benefit from this method even though I don't have worms in the garden

No worms how did you manage that? I find worms everywhere - in the hotbin (when its not too hot), under and in the pots on the patio, even in the garage. Give them some garden waste to eat and they will come.

[Baldy]

No worms? You should try to do summat about that Rary...

[veggiechicken]

I think rary's worms are big and flat

[Snadger]

New Zealand flatworm are quite prevalent in Scotland! Just stating a fact, not saying you have an infestation Rary.

[Lumpy]

Whats a NZ flatworm and is it a bad thing?

[veggiechicken]

They're bad because they eat earthworms

New Zealand flatworm | Controlling Weeds, Pests and Diseases | The James Hutton Institute

[Lumpy]

Oh thats not good at all. Are they further south or just restricted to Scotland? Ta VC

[bario1]

Never seen a worm on my plot, except in the compost bins, and they're different to earthworms. Yet in my garden a mile away there are loads! NZ flatworms, I hate them!

[Bigmallly]

Oh thats not good at all. Are they further south or just restricted to Scotland? Ta VC

New Zealand Flatworm, Arthurdendyus triangulatus - GB non-native species secretariat

[rary]

Sadly yes I have flatworms, the only advice I can give is how to catch them, keep a small area in your garden damp and cover with a piece of black plastic, e.g. a bin bag, check every day and if you are unfortunate to find one place in a small container anything that will a low you to pour some vinegar over it and leave it to dissolve apparently if you try to kill them by cutting them in half you finish up with two, and be careful when handling, they can give a caustic burn if you have sensitive skin

[KevinM67]

WOW !!!!!

Just catching up with this thread - and I'm gobsmacked.

I've never heard of the NZ flatworm before - feel sorry for you rary.

[More basil]

The NZ flatworms sound night-marish!

But attempting a positive note...There are millions of other small soil improving critters and bacteria in the soil and I wonder if they will help the process (if a little slower than worms). Also, being in Scotland, you presumably have a fair bit of frost which help break down soil.