What Do Earthworms Eat?

A fascinating and important part of nature, earthworms are crucial to the health and vibrancy of many ecosystems. These small annelids have a vital role in the environment and helping the soil reach optimal conditions, meaning they are a major contributors to the health of gardens, forests and agricultural lands. Better yet, these creatures have a fairly simple diet mainly consisting of soil, plant matter and other organic materials, which can all be found in the soil they live in.

Earthworms are Nature’s Fertilizers

Earthworms are a key part of the ecosystem, and the benefits they provide to the environment make them a vital species. Generally, the diet of an earthworm is what gives the soil its fertility and the earthworm itself is often referred to as “nature’s fertilizer” for a reason.

Earthworms play a vital role in the soil’s degradation cycle by eating decaying organic materials, such as dead leaves and other plant matter as well as small organisms, like bacteria and soil particles that normally would not be broken down or digested by other creatures. The worm digests this matter, breaking it down into more available and essential plant nutrients, and the waste they expel is a higher-quality version of the materials they just consumed. This “humus” is rich in nitrogen, potassium, phosphates, vitamins and minerals, and it is a great natural fertilizer for nearby plants.

What Else Do Earthworms Eat?

In addition to the decaying organic matter and organisms, earthworms also consume small stones and clay, as well as decaying bark and animal droppings. Furthermore, they can also benefit from added organic food sources like chopped fruits, vegetables, tea leaves and coffee grounds.

Think twice before feeding your earthworms commercial fertilizer. These products might contain high levels of salt and nitrogen, which can be harmful to the earthworms, not to mention the environment. Chopping mixed greens or simple kitchen scraps and burying them in the soil is much better for the worms, the environment and the plants growing in your garden. This not only helps you save money on investing in expensive fertilizers, but it’s a great way of making compost for your garden and plants for free.

Earthworms are amazing creatures that play a pivotal role in the environment. You are probably already familiar with them, either from digging in the garden or seeing the distinctive marks they leave on the lawn. Provide them with the right mixture of organic and natural materials, and these remarkable invertebrates will give you the beautiful and rich soil your gardens and plants need.