Adding worms to your lawn is straightforward: simply place them on top of the soil on a dry day, and they will dig down.
Enhancing your lawn's soil with earthworms can significantly improve its health and structure. Worms are natural aerators, creating tunnels that allow water, air, and nutrients to penetrate the soil more easily. Their castings (worm poop) are also a fantastic natural fertilizer.
Steps to Introduce Worms
Introducing worms to your lawn doesn't require burying them. Based on the reference provided:
- Choose a Dry Day: Select a day when the lawn surface is dry. This encourages the worms to burrow down into the moist soil below for safety and moisture.
- Place Worms on Top: Gently place the worms directly onto the soil surface in various areas of your lawn.
- Let Them Do the Work: The worms will naturally begin to dig and disappear below the surface.
Keeping Worms Happy and Around
Once you've introduced worms, you want to ensure they stay and thrive. Providing them with ample food sources is key to preventing them from wiggling away. The reference suggests several "yummy food" options:
- Animal manure
- Kitchen scraps (avoid meat, dairy, and oily foods)
- Mulched leaves
- Grass clippings (ensure they are from a chemical-free lawn)
These organic materials serve as a tempting buffet, keeping the worms busy and encouraging them to make your lawn their permanent home. Spread these materials thinly over the lawn surface or incorporate them into the soil.
Benefits of Worms in Your Lawn
Having a healthy population of earthworms offers numerous advantages:
- Improved Aeration: Tunnels created by worms allow roots to grow deeper and access more resources.
- Enhanced Drainage: Water penetrates the soil more effectively, reducing runoff.
- Natural Fertilization: Worm castings are rich in nutrients beneficial for plant growth.
- Better Soil Structure: Worm activity helps bind soil particles, improving tilth.
- Decomposition: Worms break down organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the soil.
By following these simple steps and providing a consistent food source, you can successfully add and maintain a thriving worm population, leading to a healthier, more vibrant lawn.