Regenerating the Soil: One Worm at a Time

Everything living dies.  Everything that dies is regenerated.  Regeneration is the third ecological principle.  Through the death and decay of plants and animals and the erosion of minerals, all material is recycled in the natural system, regenerating fertility and life.  Many of these interactions involve decay or death.  In a healthy ecosystem, none of this death is wasted because it will lead to new life or regeneration.

I raise composting earthworms and every time that lid is removed from their home (a plastic storage bin) the principle of death, decay and regeneration is on display.  Into the bin go the day's food scraps (especially heavy during summer growing season).  My worms really love coffee grounds; it must be the caffeine that seems to make them hyper.  Another favorite are peach peelings.  They work hard at egg shells but don't seem to get very far unless I really crunch them up before adding.

Someone asked me to what animal I felt most connected and I'd have to admit, it is earthworms.  Can you see them in the picture?  Get up close and take a look.  You've never observed such busy creatures. they take care of all my kitchen scraps regenerating it into the BEST fertilizer you would ever want to add to your garden.  Even better are all the volunteer seedlings you get:  squash, tomatoes, and more.  Every tomato and butternut squash in the garden this year were volunteers from the worm castings.

There's nothing like getting up close and personal with nature.  Seeing how she operates.  If only we human were half that smart about the way we do things.