How do worms fertilize soil and plants?

I have been picking up worms and putting them into plants.

What do the worms do to the soil or plants?

How do worms fertilize soil and plants?
As worms tunnel their way through the earth, they leave behind castings (digested stuff) and is a good natural compost type material. Their burrowing through also stirs up and loosens the soil so it is not compacted.

That is how they help your plants, from 'down under', at the root zone.

I doubt putting them onto you plants will help the plants, and may harm the worms, who like to be underground.



My brother had a compost bin set up for worms ... a 'worm farm' so to speak. It was red worms living inside a bin made up of moistened newspapers that they added occosionally. They also added the small amount of vegetable and fruit leavings a family of 3 could produce,. The worms composted everything and made a rich addition to their garden beds.



Hope this helps
Reply:Earthworms dig burrows which let water and air into the soil. This lets the water and air get down to the roots of plants. The burrows also helps the plant roots to move more easily through the soil and into new spaces. Worms drag leaves and plant bits down into the earth. As they burrow, the worms swallow soil and eat the plant matter that is in it. The soil they swallow passes though the worm's body and is left in little piles on top of the ground. This is called castings and is excellent fertiliser. People who farm worms do it to collect the castings to sell to gardeners
Reply:Worms are necessary to help produce top soil. Worms help the environment by decomposing organic material (food and yard waste) turning it into a natural rich organic soil amendment. The end result is called vermicompost, wormpoop,or worm castings.
Reply:Pacific is exactly correct. They also keep the soil aerated.