Many gardeners know the value of worms. In nature, they wiggle their way through the soil, incorporating precious organic matter along the way. Their basic day-to-day activity inadvertently helps gardeners as it conditions the soil and improves structure and water-retaining capabilities. When in a controlled environment, worms efficiently turn organic waste materials into high-quality worm castings, or vermicastings. This finished product (also known as vermicompost) is a great fertilizer rich in micronutrients and beneficial microorganisms. What’s more, all-purpose vermicompost is generally odor-free which lends itself to indoor applications as well as outdoor garden plots and containers.

It’s a frequent curiosity, however, as to whether all worms are created equal. Believe it or not, there is a difference between the earthworms you see inching along the sidewalk after a rainstorm and the red worms preferred for vermicomposting. Red worms, red wrigglers or Eisenia fetida, are especially treasured for their ability to process kitchen waste like fruit and vegetable scraps in a relatively short amount of time. Provided there’s adequate food, bedding materials and moisture levels, red worms will thrive in a controlled worm bin environment where temperatures can be maintained between 59 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. When conditions are ideal, red worms will reproduce fairly rapidly (with populations doubling every month in some cases). In addition, these worms are tolerant of the periodic disturbances required for supplying materials and harvesting castings.

Soil-dwelling earthworms, nightcrawlers or Lumbricus terrestris, on the other hand, will not fare well in an enclosed worm habitat. The main hindrance is their desire for cooler temperatures (around 50-degrees Fahrenheit), which can be very difficult to maintain. This, in addition to their sensitivity to light, is why earthworms spend most of the time deep in their burrows and come to the surface only when forced to by rain or when they need to collect leaves and debris for sustenance. Their gritty soil and non-kitchen-scrap food preferences are all the more reason to keep earthworms in the outdoor garden where they’re happiest.

Just as earthworms won’t do well in replicated conditions, red worms will likely not endure being “released back into the wild”. As such, vermicomposters with excess red worms should consider expanding their operation, sharing with neighbors, family and friends, or making some local fishermen happy with a gracious donation.

Besides wanting to know if there’s a difference between red worms and earthworms, the next most common inquiry is, “Where can I get them?” These days, worms are available through a number of commercial resources including garden centers and area bait shops, although it may not be easy to determine if the labeled “red worms” are truly the Eisenia fetida species needed for vermicomposting. GG

Emphasizing environmentally-friendly gardening practices indoors and out, Kari Bayne is the Senior Staff Writer for The Worm’s Way Group, member of the Garden Writers Association and life-long gardening enthusiast. Get inspired about organics, hydroponics and more at www.wormsway.com or call 1-800-274-9676 to request a catalog.