RICHMOND —
Earthworms.
To many, they are an icky organism that crawls onto our carports after a heavy rain. But, these creatures should not be thought of as a nuisance; in fact they should be considered nature’s plough.
As earthworms crawl through the soil, they aerate and loosen it by digging tunnels up to seven feet deep. This brings up the mineral rich subsoil and also allows oxygen to penetrate deeper, which improves beneficial soil bacteria and can help with the health of plants in the area.
Earthworms consume on a daily basis their weight in fallen leaves and other organic material. As they tunnel, they ingest soil and organic matter, which produces castings (worm poop). They grind large particles into smaller ones and soil microorganisms break these down into even smaller pieces.
Earthworm’s activities in many ways mimic a miniature composter, in that it mixes and conditions plant wastes into fertilizer for new plants.
These creatures are active from spring until fall. During the day, worms lie in their burrows near the surface. At night they go in search of food.
Adding organic matter such as compost and mulch will attract earthworms to an area. Not only is this food for the worms, but it also creates a cool, moist environment. They will not tolerate soggy soil; that is why they seek dry places (like a sidewalk or carport) after a heavy rain.
Facts about earthworms:
• Under favorable conditions, one acre of land can contain more than a million earthworms.
• The largest earthworm on record was found in South Africa and it was 22 feet long!
• Earthworms are hermaphroditic which means each individual possesses both male and female reproductive organs.
• There are approximately 2,700 species of the earthworm.
• Worms do not have eyes.
• Worms are not insects. People often use this term to refer to caterpillars as well. It is caterpillars that are eating the plants in your garden, not a worm.
Madison County Farmers’ Market
The Madison County Farmers’ Market will be having an informational meeting Monday, February 6 here at the Madison County Cooperative Extension Office from 6 to 8 p.m.
If you are interested in selling at the Farmers’ Market this year, please attend this meeting.
Educational programs of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.
Lifestyles & Community
Related Photos
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Amanda Sears
Why we should love earthworms
- Lifestyles & Community
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Looking at various things
During my eight years away from home (Richmond and Madison County) the post office tower was a beacon welcoming me home.
Today, the the stone edifice completed in the 1892 as a post office and federal courthouse is the Madison Hall of Justice. -
Things are different than when we were young
I was just thinking the other day about how confused we seniors are most of the time. Things are so different than when we were young. We find it hard to understand much of what we are confronted with.
Some things like this happen to us frequently. We begin a conversation with, “In my day.” We look so old we are followed around by archeologists. We tell our kids that old age causes us to become wiser and they tell us, “Then you must be a genius.” We no longer look forward to a wild evening out, but look forward to a dull evening in. -
We are heirs and joint-heirs to His kingdom
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. — Rom 8:14-19 -
How little exercise is necessary for good health?
How little exercise is necessary for good health?
That question was the subject of a recent investigation by a team of exercise scientists at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and the answer seems to be a lot less than we might think, as long as we’re willing to put in the effort. -
A mother’s love never stops
A mothers love will always be there. Even when everyone else stops to rest, her love for her family continues. She is always working, carring and sharing what she has with her children, even if she has to do without for herself.
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Start planting your hot weather vegetables now
Hopefully, the unusual spate of unseasonably warm weather we had earlier this spring did not fool you, and you’ve been patiently waiting to get your hot weather veggies, such as tomatoes and peppers, into your summer vegetable garden.Now is a good time to start planting these delectable goodies.
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Rethinking the benefits of crunches
I’ve been doing crunches all my adult life and it may be one of the reasons I have back problems. Research from the University of Waterloo in Ontario has found that repeated bending of the spine, such as occurs when doing crunches, can contribute over time to damage of spinal discs. The results are presented — along with a lot of other useful information — in the book, “Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance” by Stuart McGill.
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Is 401(k) good for America?
Internal Revenue Code section 401(k) is the only section of the US tax code that average people can cite.
They know it has something to do with whether or not they can retire with dignity. Or retire at all. -
He is there when you need Him
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. — Psalm 139:7-10 -
It’s tough to be old
I was just thinking the other day about how tough it is to be old. We seniors have so many things to contend with. One of the first things is our memory, or perhaps I should say our lack of memory. I’ve often thought it is easier for us to remember things that happened to us when we were kids than to remember what we had for lunch yesterday. Names are hard to recall. It is embarrassing to meet someone who is familiar and we are certain we should know them, but simply cannot remember their name. In a conversation with a friend, to talk about a former friend but neither of you are able to recall their name.
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