Earthworms: natural soil monitors

Earthworms are indicators of soil health. Because they feed on decaying matter, analysing the contents of their digestive tracts gives us insight into the soil’s overall condition. And the healthier the soil, the more earthworms there are.

- Bill Kerr

After six years of agricultural training, I landed a job growing vegetables on a large estate. This was in 1965. Subsequently, I was involved with growing vegetables on a large scale for 14 years, then selling and testing vegetable varieties and breeding vegetables for 25 years. However, it was only 10 years ago that my eyes were opened to the value of soil that has been built up organically, and to the fact that it ultimately makes farming more profitable.

There is a good reason why this information is not well known among the farming community. Farmers are constantly visited by representatives who sell fertilisers and crop chemicals, but few visit farmers to educate them about the value of no-till, reduced tillage, and building up soil fertility and sustainability. After all, there’s nothing to sell!

There are, however, plenty of testimonials online from farmers who have gone over to sustainable farming using organic methods.

You can increase the productivity of the soil by using compost, manure, cover crops and reduced tillage. This will increase the range of beneficial soil organisms, with earthworms playing a valuable role.