A common question is: Can Red Wigglers and African Night Crawlers be kept directly in gardens? The short answer is yes, under the right circumstances. The long answer is explored in this blog post, where we elaborate a bit more on the topic and the do’s and don’ts of keeping these worms in a garden setting as opposed to a worm bin.
Red Wigglers: Garden-Friendly or Not?
Red Wigglers are surface-dwelling worms primarily suited for composting. Unlike deep-burrowing earthworms, Red Wigglers live in the top few inches of soil, making them ideal for worm bins, compost piles, and vermiculture systems.
Can They Be Kept Directly in the Garden?
✔ Yes, but with limitations.
- Shallow Soil Preference: Since Red Wigglers prefer to stay near the surface, they are best suited for garden beds with thick mulch or compost layers.
- Moisture Sensitivity: They require a consistently moist environment, which may be challenging to maintain in open gardens, especially in dry or extreme climates.
- Predation Risk: Exposed in the garden, they are more vulnerable to birds, ants, and other predators compared to burrowing earthworms.
- Temperature Sensitivity: Red Wigglers thrive in temperatures between 13–25°C and may struggle with extreme heat or cold.
African Night Crawlers: Garden-Compatible?
African Night Crawlers are larger worms known for their deep burrowing ability and rapid decomposition of organic material. These worms are favoured for composting and soil conditioning.
Can They Be Kept Directly in the Garden?
✔ Yes, but only under the right conditions.
- Tropical Species: African Night Crawlers require warm temperatures (above 15°C), making them unsuitable for colder regions.
- High Moisture Needs: They need consistently damp soil, and dry garden beds may not provide the right environment for survival.
- Poor Cold Tolerance: Unlike native earthworms, African Night Crawlers struggle to survive in cooler temperatures or during winter months. Extra measures should be taken to ensure sufficient warmth, such as thick layers of mulch on top of the soil.
- Depth Preference: They burrow deeper than Red Wigglers but are not as effective at aerating garden soil compared to native earthworm species.
Things to Avoid When Adding Worms to Your Garden
To ensure a healthy environment for worms, avoid the following:
- Pesticides and Chemical Fertilizers: These can harm or kill worms and disrupt soil health.
- Dry, Compact Soil: Ensure your soil is loose and retains moisture to support worm activity.
- Overly Acidic or Alkaline Soil: Extreme pH levels can make the soil inhospitable for worms.
- Excessive Tilling: Frequent tilling can disturb worm populations and reduce their effectiveness.
- Direct Sun Exposure: Worms need shade and moisture to thrive, so heavy mulch or compost layers are beneficial.
Final Verdict
Both species of worms can be kept in a garden setting, however, the environment must be monitored and controlled to ensure the right conditions for them to thrive.
- Red Wigglers can survive in garden beds with proper mulch and moisture but are not ideal for direct soil integration.
- African Night Crawlers can be kept in garden soil under the right conditions, including warmth, moisture, and protection from extreme cold.
For best results, use these worms in composting systems and introduce their nutrient-rich castings to the garden, rather than relying on them to thrive directly in garden soil.
By understanding each species’ needs, gardeners can make informed decisions on how to enhance their soil health effectively.
