Why is this a bad idea?

Hi all,
When growing stuff in large containers, why is it not a good idea to add some earthworms to aerate the soil? I thought it would help prevent the soil compacting. I emailed a gardening "expert" and he just said that it is not a good idea.

Val

 

Dunno, sounds OK to me, but perhaps pointless.

 

I would be happy to do that. The only problem could be is if you bring the pots inside over the winter. Some worms like to go awandering.

 

Hi Gemini. I find the worms find their own way in to containers.
Who said it was a bad idea to introduce some.
I don't see the point in doing it as they will get in there all by themselves but if you chucked a few in I can't see what harm it will do.
Tell us more.

 

Everytime I repot or refresh a container, there seem to be heaps of worms in it. I didn't add them, honest!:hehe:

 

Val, as Pete syas, what`s the point? If you pour soil/compost, into containers it`s naturally being aerated anyway.:gnthb:

 

I read that if you use John Innes compost (which I have) that after a while it can become compacted at the bottom of the tub. Hence me thinking that a few worms would not go amiss!!!

Val

 

I suspect the reason why is that worms in a confined space can cause root disturbance and inhibit growth, at least thats what i read somewhere :-)

 

Because I'm sure the poor little buggers would eventually want to get or go elsewhere, that's my guess.

 

Hi ALL take it from me you don't want any worms in your containers, the reason being the eat what ever is in front of them, be it earth, compost, waste food as in wormery, yes they do serve a purpose and the end result is you mostly find them where it is damp or very wet, why, because they can move easyer and what ever goes through them is soft to after they have finished with it, I wont say what worms can get into and we end up eating, but we have all found holes in our crops and have wondered who's made them apart from slugs and snails and maggets even though they are mostly under ground in all weathers. WATER encourages worms, that's where I believe we all started life anyway like a worm in water. No water we die. May you and yours and what you grow live long and HAPPY. John JRP www.recycling.moonfruit.com