Q.
In the last
10 days we have experienced a major worm exodus out of our yard onto the
sidewalk. I recently applied a lawn fertilizer with no pesticides in it. One of
these die-offs was after a heavy watering and one was after no water for 2
days. Is this normal this time of year?
In the last
10 days we have experienced a major worm exodus out of our yard onto the
sidewalk. I recently applied a lawn fertilizer with no pesticides in it. One of
these die-offs was after a heavy watering and one was after no water for 2
days. Is this normal this time of year?
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A.
It is hard to pinpoint the reason why worms did a death march out of your lawn
but the usual reasons are because they can’t get enough air or some irritant is
applied to the lawn.
It is hard to pinpoint the reason why worms did a death march out of your lawn
but the usual reasons are because they can’t get enough air or some irritant is
applied to the lawn.
A
lack of air usually occurs because the soil is kept too wet, like right after a
heavy rain, or is compacted from traffic or heavy equipment. This can be
corrected by aerating the lawn once a year.
lack of air usually occurs because the soil is kept too wet, like right after a
heavy rain, or is compacted from traffic or heavy equipment. This can be
corrected by aerating the lawn once a year.
It
is possible that a heavy application of fertilizer might irritate them enough
so they would leave. Most fertilizers are salts. If the soil becomes salinized this could be enough
of an irritant for earthworms to try an evacuation.
is possible that a heavy application of fertilizer might irritate them enough
so they would leave. Most fertilizers are salts. If the soil becomes salinized this could be enough
of an irritant for earthworms to try an evacuation.
Quick
release fertilizers (these are the most inexpensive types) easily dissolves in
water so fertilizer salts are released into the earthworm environment very
quickly. Next time apply a fertilizer that has half of its nitrogen in a “slow
release” form. This releases the nitrogen more slowly, as well as the salt
content, and is easier on your worms.
release fertilizers (these are the most inexpensive types) easily dissolves in
water so fertilizer salts are released into the earthworm environment very
quickly. Next time apply a fertilizer that has half of its nitrogen in a “slow
release” form. This releases the nitrogen more slowly, as well as the salt
content, and is easier on your worms.
It
is also a better fertilizer for your lawn. Slow release fertilizers encourages
moderate growth and is applied less often. Quick release fertilizers tend to “jolt”
the grass into rapid growth and then disappears quickly.
is also a better fertilizer for your lawn. Slow release fertilizers encourages
moderate growth and is applied less often. Quick release fertilizers tend to “jolt”
the grass into rapid growth and then disappears quickly.