{"id":8105,"date":"2013-11-17T12:59:29","date_gmt":"2013-11-17T12:59:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/greensideup.ie\/?p=8105"},"modified":"2014-09-27T13:48:12","modified_gmt":"2014-09-27T12:48:12","slug":"ten-facts-about-earthworms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/greensideup.ie\/ten-facts-about-earthworms\/","title":{"rendered":"Ten Facts About Earthworms"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Ten<\/a>In 1881 Charles Darwin wrote:<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world, as have these lowly organized creatures.\u201d<\/p>\n

He spent over 39 years studying them.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Unlike Darwin, we mightn’t have 39 years to spare but a few minutes reading time will quickly fill\u00a0you in on some interesting facts about earthworms. How much do you know about these vital creatures?<\/p>\n

Here’s ten earthworm facts<\/h2>\n

1. Invertebrates make up 97% of species on earth without backbones and Earthworms are just one of them.<\/p>\n

2. There are around 3,000 species of earthworms around the globe<\/a> that range in size and colour from 1cm to 3m and from green to brown, blue to pink.<\/p>\n

3. Earthworms are most definitely a gardeners friend and are vital to soil health. As they burrow beneath the ground, they consume soil, feeding on decomposing organic matter such as roots and leaves, sand grains and microorganisms. As the organic matter passes through their digestive systems, vital minerals and nutrients are transported and it’s been shown that not only is worm digested soil healthier, it also has more phosphorous<\/a>.<\/p>\n

4. Earthworms are a sign of healthy soil. If there’s no food they’ll go elsewhere. The more worms in your soil, the more nutritious it is, not only for them but for your plants! If you don’t see many signs of worms, simply add more organic matter and they will find it.<\/p>\n

5. The burrows that earthworms create act as ducts that water and oxygen can pass through, helping to keep soil moist and aerated, vital for good plant growth allowing roots to grow and develop.<\/p>\n