If you are into organic solutions, you might be aware of the benefits of making your compost. After all, if you are growing plants, it is a way to ensure they get all the nutrients they need to thrive and make good use of your kitchen waste. As you may or may not know, you’ll need to add worms for your compost to be healthy. And if you know something about gardening, you might have heard that red wiggles and nightcrawlers are the two most common options among several gardeners. But can you put nightcrawlers and red wigglers together?
Keep reading this essential guide to finding out!
Red Wigglers vs. Nightcrawlers
Both worms are excellent options for composting. However, the large size and ease of collection of nightcrawlers make them a favorite among people going fishing.
After all, they make for excellent baits! For this reason, these worms are not the best for growing in a confined bin. Indeed, they like to conduct a solitary life, which they usually spend burrowing through the soil.
Still, you shouldn’t have problems composting with night crawlers if you can offer enough space, plenty of soil, and cool temperatures.
Overall, red wigglers are similar to earthworms but tend to be tinier and shorter. These invertebrates feed on rotting plant matter and will thrive even at warm temperatures. Because they don’t mind living in a group, these insects will usually be closer to the earth’s surface.
But what about red wigglers and nightcrawlers? Can they grow together? Jump to the following sections to find out!
Can You Put Nightcrawlers and Red Wigglers Together?
The two species have different behaviors and preferences. As we mentioned before, red wigglers can adapt to a crowded life in rich organic matter. On the other hand, nightcrawlers prefer living deep in the soil. They will only come up to the surface to feed and mate.
Still, different varieties might work better together. For instance, European Nightcrawlers and Red Wiggler have similar characteristics that make them perfect for growing together. Add them to a container with an open bottom: it will allow you to put nightcrawlers and red wigglers together successfully.
Red wigglers usually reproduce faster than nightcrawlers, so you may have to add more of the latter to balance their population. Also, you’ll have to consider what you put in your compost bin. Red wigglers eat manure and thrive on organic kitchen waste. On the other hand, nightcrawlers prefer decaying plant matter.
Overall, while you can keep the two species together, it might not be the ideal solution. However, you can have the effects you want by growing them in a large compost bin. Doing so will ensure both species get what they need! The idea is to allow the nightcrawler to burrow deep into the soil and let red wigglers feast close to the surface.
Why Should You Put Worms in Your Compost Bin?
Worms are crucial elements of your garden: they help maintain adequate soil aeration, making your plants healthier. Also, they contribute to the decomposition process of the organic matter in the ground, which can optimize nutrient intake for your plants.
Additionally, worms will produce fertile waste (also known as “casting”) that provides your plants with some essential nutrients they need for healthy growth.
If you struggle with soil texture, adding compost with worms might help improve it. Indeed, as these creatures work into the soil, they will loosen it up and reduce compaction.
Additionally, because they build tunnels as they move, they create efficient channels that allow oxygen flow, which will support your plant roots’ growth.