Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.  Found this on pinterest.

Could it work?  We have well drained soil here (decomposed granite).  It's not rich in anything but minerals.  It's pretty bad, but figs thrive in bad.  We started a compost pile, and I bought a lot of seeds for tomatoes and pumpkins, etc. 

What do you think?

Would I have to buy worms to get this started?  Would it make the figs happier?  They seem pretty happy, but happier is better!

Suzi

I think the worms would come to it,,,,,

This may sound like a dumb question, but are they using it to make compost to then dig it up to use where needed, or are they doing this to improve the soil of a certain area that they plan to plant something?

I'm pretty sure they are using it to improve the area around.  I found the original site.  There is no turning or digging.  The worms do the work.

Suzi

Interesting! May give it a try.

Suzie,

How long ago did you start your compost pile? Worms are pretty quick to find a compost pile and work around and into it. You could always buy some worms to get a jump start on it, it is possible the area you live is relatively void of worms. If you know anyone who gardens in the area, you could ask if they mind if you dig some worms from their garden before they plant also.

It wouldn't hurt to rescue some worms from a bait store to get things off to a good start as long as you feed them well.  They like dead vegetation and moist soil.

Calvin, we only started the compost pile 3 weeks ago.  We have a long way to go until worms find it.  I just think I may need to import some because there are all these huge granite boulders and sandstone rocks on this hill.  They seem to sluff off and the dirt is really very sandy and slippery.  I truly have never seen a worm, and we have dug a lot of holes!  lt's pretty tricky to walk down the hill, so I have a hiking staff for support (and to flick off the occasional snake).

Tomato worms always seem to find tomatoes, so maybe earth worms find compost.  There are tons of voles and gophers!

I like that tube idea because I could isolate the compost exactly where I want it.

Suzi

Suzi,

That system works, but it would be good to introduce a few worm species from local worm farmers. The worms would help greatly, you should have worms in the area unless its bone dry in most parts of the yard. Having ample amount of worms would improve the root system greatly, especially if there is lots of clay.

as far as i can tell, you won't find worms in your area. it's like mine, sandstone and mostly sandy soil with just a little clay.

if you succeed in establishing them, please lemme know.

Sounds like incorporating lots of organic matter into the surrounding soil would be needed. Mulching heavily a couple times a year, along with tilling in organic matter in the surrounding areas would help.

Suzi, it will definitely work if the goal is to improve the soil quality by adding organic matter back to the soil, and you don't need to add worms, although, worms will speed up the process.  I've seen these compost tubes placed right into raised beds.  Also, you may want to do some research on "keyhole gardens" which is the same concept, but builds a garden around the compost pile.

Hi DesertDance,
If you want worms to come to your house, dig holes where you'll throw branches of trees ( peach tree, blackberry branches, plum tree ,...) and put the ground back to close the hole.
If there are worms in your garden and they can live where you are, they will come and multiply.
That's what I did ( to hide/destroy the branches ) and I have plenty of big long spaghettis in my garden now.
Those holes need to be at shady places and need to get some water every now and then .

I wouldn't buy worms, as if your garden is not suited for worms ... They will disappear ...

Thanks for all the tips and ideas.  We do have a compost pile started, so hopefully worms might come into that, but we will definitely try that tube method also.

Susieqz got it right.  Worms don't like this dry sandy soil.  I went out today and there is new sand and rocks breaking off from the boulders.  It's constant!

All our plantings are on drip systems, so the ground is damp around the plants, and if we could introduce compost and worms, they might hang around to fertilize the plants for us.

I did find a couple places that sell worms within a 2 hour drive, so once we get the ground in better shape, we'll introduce some and see if they like it here.

Suzi

Gophers don't eat worms do they?  That would be a worry because there are so many tunnels, your weight can cave them in when you walk on them.

Hi DesertDance,
Oups ... Gophers are insectivores . So yes, they would go after worms .