While not all soil types have earthworms, in most regions of the U.S., these critters are a reliable indication of healthy dirt. Not only does the presence of earthworms indicate quality soil, but the worms can also help to promote soil richness, which contributes to optimal plant growth. If lawn care is one of your priorities as a homeowner, find out how earthworms can help you below.

A Homeowner’s Guide to Earthworms

How Do Worms Benefit Your Turf?

Worms deliver several benefits to the dirt throughout your lawn. For one, they burrow through the ground and create pathways for water to infiltrate the soil, improving aggregation. These channels also allow plant roots to access water and nutrients more efficiently. Earthworms produce nutrient-rich casts, which further enhance the health of your turf and other foliage. Finally, their ability to turn the soil over helps reduce disease, improve soil stability, and improve the ground’s capacity to hold moisture.

How Does Fertilizer Affect Worms?

When considering the factors above, earthworms are clearly on your side when it comes to lawn care. However, certain yard maintenance activities affect earthworm populations. In particular, inorganic fertilizers lead to earthworm overpopulation due to increased crop residue returning to the ground.

Moreover, certain ingredients in fertilizers, including anhydrous ammonia and ammonium sulfate, appear to have adverse effects on earthworm populations. This result is because of ammonia’s toxic effects, the acidity of these ingredients, or a combination of both factors. For this reason, you should choose your lawn care products carefully not to disrupt the native species, which promote a healthy property.

If you’re seeking a lawn care team to help you select minimally-invasive products that won’t harm the native species in your turf, allow T & N to help. Serving St. Louis and St. Charles County, MO, this team offers premium and custom blends of fertilizer and ships all across the United States. They’ve been meeting the unique needs of homeowners for more than 30 years and will help you find the right fertilizer blend for your soil’s specific needs. Learn more about their custom blends online or call (636) 673-2505 to speak with a team member.