All civilisations have risen and fallen on the health and productivity of their soils. Australia has amongst the thinnest and oldest topsoil in the world. It can take up to 100 years to build up a few centimetres of topsoil naturally by decomposition, but earthworms can produce up to 40cm of topsoil in the same period. The presence of large amounts of worms in soil has been shown to increase the productivity of land by up to 300 percent. They aerate soil by creating mini-ventilation shafts through which air, water and roots can travel to assist plant growth.
Worms are the champions of recycling and maintaining soil health.
They thrive on anything that was once living. Worms ingest organic matter and excrete it in vermicastings. Use a worm farm at home to eat your food waste and use the vermicast on the garden. Buy organic produce as these farmers naturally use worms to improve the soil. Learn about our environmental frontline troops who are sowing our future.