The worms seemed to like it......

Noreaster · March 18, 2010

......instead of pulling out ALL the dead tomato plants this past fall......left 1/2 of 'em in ground to rot, as an experiment.

Began turning/fertilizing yesterday.....and unless I'm mistaken ......there seemed to be MORE, and FATTER earthworms in the un-pulled section !

Am I kiddin' myself.....or can this really be true ???

Because if it's really true.....we'll never pull the dead ones out again !!!

b54red · March 20, 2010

Earthworms like the organic matter provided by the dead plant and will cluster in the roots as it rots and becomes dinner for them. I always thought garlic was supposed to repel various critters but when I dig it I have to knock the earthworms off of the roots. If you can get it at a cheap price, around 10 dollars for 50 lbs, try adding a generous amount of cottonseed meal to your beds or garden. The worms love it. A friend of mine who has been gardening in the same spot for over 20 years never saw more than an occasional worm. I talked him into putting a couple of bags into his garden last year and now he already has a goodly supply of worms.

Noreaster · March 21, 2010

Thanks, b54red ! That could be interesting......probably hard to find up here in NJ......but will ask around. Have read that worm waste is one of the greatest fertilizers in the world ! If cottonseed meal helps make MORE of that poop.....bring it on !

celticman · March 21, 2010

I believe leaving tomatoe plants in the garden is reported to lead to deases. I've all way gotten rid of them completely.
Celtic

March 18, 2010	#1
Noreaster Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northeast Posts: 260	The worms seemed to like it...... ......instead of pulling out ALL the dead tomato plants this past fall......left 1/2 of 'em in ground to rot, as an experiment. Began turning/fertilizing yesterday.....and unless I'm mistaken ......there seemed to be MORE, and FATTER earthworms in the un-pulled section ! Am I kiddin' myself.....or can this really be true ??? Because if it's really true.....we'll never pull the dead ones out again !!!

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March 20, 2010	#2
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	Earthworms like the organic matter provided by the dead plant and will cluster in the roots as it rots and becomes dinner for them. I always thought garlic was supposed to repel various critters but when I dig it I have to knock the earthworms off of the roots. If you can get it at a cheap price, around 10 dollars for 50 lbs, try adding a generous amount of cottonseed meal to your beds or garden. The worms love it. A friend of mine who has been gardening in the same spot for over 20 years never saw more than an occasional worm. I talked him into putting a couple of bags into his garden last year and now he already has a goodly supply of worms.

March 21, 2010	#3
Noreaster Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northeast Posts: 260	Thanks, b54red ! That could be interesting......probably hard to find up here in NJ......but will ask around. Have read that worm waste is one of the greatest fertilizers in the world ! If cottonseed meal helps make MORE of that poop.....bring it on !

March 21, 2010	#4
celticman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NC Posts: 170	I believe leaving tomatoe plants in the garden is reported to lead to deases. I've all way gotten rid of them completely. Celtic