Cocoons/Eggs
Earthworms play an important role in the creation of healthy, productive soils. They feed on organic matter, leaving behind rich manure or "castings" that provide readily available nutrients for plants. As they burrow through the soil, they leave behind tunnels that open up passageways for air and water. The soil becomes loose, porous, and unsurpassed in fertility.
Worm cocoons are shipped in a moist medium of peat, worm castings and humus for safe shipment. The cocoons are opaque, oval-shaped to a small point at each end, and very small - not much bigger than 1/8" in diameter! Because the cocoons are moist, the soil particles will stick to them, making them look like the particles of dirt. They will be difficult, if not impossible to see.
Worm cocoons can be spread over the garden at any time of the year, even in mid winter (a large percentage will survive even when placed on top of the snow). However, the best time to introduce worm cocoons outside is during the spring and summer when night time temperatures are above freezing and after the ground has been tilled or cultivated.
Worms are very adaptive to different soil types. They thrive best in soils that receive annual applications of organic matter such as grass clippings, compost, or manure. If your soil is depleted, till in organic matter before applying the worm cocoons. The organic matter will serve as food and help retain moisture - an important requirement for both plants and worms.
Introducing the worm cocoons into the garden is easy. Scatter the worm cocoons and medium over the top of the soil in an 8' x 10' area. If possible, gently rake them into the top 2-3" of soil. Water the soil thoroughly and keep it moist. If the soil dries out during the first month, you could lose some of the hatched worms.
Worm cocoons hatch within 2-3 weeks when the soil temperature reaches 70o. Baby worms are small and whitish-purple when they leave the cocoon. Within 2-3 days, they begin to change color to eventually match their soil surroundings. Worms in a clay soil will be gray in color; worms in rich organic soils will be reddish purple. In a short 3 months, they will reach maturity and will begin to reproduce a second generation of cocoons.
Worms burrow deep into the earth below the frost level. If your area experiences severe winters without snow cover, the worms may have difficulty finding unfrozen soil. Mulch your soil with straw, grass clippings, or leaves, or grow a green manure like clover to help keep the soil from freezing. Apply the mulch in the autumn before frost penetrates the soil.
