These worms burrow underground during the day and emerge above ground at night to deposit their castings. Nightcrawlers are vertical burrowers capable of digging down as deep as 8 feet in moist soil.

Allow the rye to grow until 4-6 weeks before spring soil preparation. Turn the rye into the soil (you may have to use a tiller, because it will be thickly matted). Cereal rye roots trap the nematodes.

The worms (or larvae) come in as a result of adults laying eggs in the soil; if the soil is rich in organic matter they'll be even more plentiful. The eggs hatch in seven or so days and the larvae ...

Worms are a fabulous way to turn what would otherwise be garbage into gardening gold, and thereby preventing food waste from taking up space in the landfill. But I digress.

In addition, the tunnels are great pathways to allow water and air to get down into the soil. Good garden soil is about 50% mineral and organic content, 25% air and 25% water.

Also in Williamsburg, Gina Ridgway recently launched the WormWatcher, an educational tool for teaching kids about worms and how they enrich soil. It’s a clear box kit that uses 500 red wigglers ...