When we behold a wide, turf-covered expanse, we should remember that its smoothness, on which so much of its beauty depends, is mainly do to all the inequalities having been slowly leveled by worms. It is a marvelous reflection that the whole of the superficial mould (topsoil) over any such expanse has passed, and will again pass every few years through the bodies of earthworms. It may be doubted if there are any other animals which have played so important part in the history of the world as these lowly creature.
-Charles Darwin
Suggested Projects
Comparsion Growth Compare the growth if various plants such as barely, rye, wheat and corn with those grown in earthworms castings versus top soil. Check for height, thickness and color.
Recycling Compost Compare the advantages of composting with earthworms aerobically and without worms, anaerobically.
pH Test Test the affects of acidic rain on plants grown in casting versus plants grown in topsoil.
Have students add lunch scrapes to the composter. They watch the food magically disapper. During springtime have the kids collect the organic soil and then use the soil to pot seeds and let the kids have a nice plant treat to take home at the end of the school year. Just a few examples the many simple and effective projects you can conduct with worms and their castings. Be creative. Every project can be adapted to students or community rececling needs.
Definations:
Earthworms- The Ultimate Plough aka lumbricus rebellus, red worm, red wiggler, english red
The earthworms ceaselessly tills the earth, creating tunnels for drainage and aeration that helps prevent erosion while turning decaying matter into a rich soil castings which enables plants to grow.
Composting- Fertilizer Maker Turning a mixture of decaying organic matter into a reusable substance- The process of making humus (castings)
Castings- (Organic Fertilizer) - Recycle Organic matter that has passede multiple times through the bodies of worms until it turns into a dark substance filled with nutirents that can be brought to plant roots.
Comparsion Growth
