Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Handsful of help

Remember last summer, when the soil was not holding water for anything? And wasn't it funny when I didn't have an irrigation system and pretty flabby soil?

Well, what a difference a few months, a few loads of horse manure, and a whole lot of imported soil can make.


They were so big they looked like snakes in her hand.

All tucked in, they filled up her hands.

And when set free, they almost ran away. Each worm, at one point, was as thick as my little finger. They left visible tunnels when they pulled themselves into the newly-turned bed. Between these guys and the other work on the soil, at least this bed is going to become more fertile.

And I'm going to have Tat Soi seeds if the weather holds -- the rain had me wondering if the bees were going to get out there to pollinate.

First snow pea blossoms. If I had found my seeds today, the bare spots in the garden would be filled. Without them, we'll still get peas, and maybe even enough to have "extra" rather than eating them all at once.

Am I the only one hearing spring murmuring around the corner?

18 comments:

Momma_S said...

Oh, man, those are some big worms! It's great seeing your daughter (I'm assuming it's your daughter?) holding the wrigglers. My 2yo is still too young to hold critters--he still squishes. My 8yo doesn't like 'em.

Kristin said...

--Love the close up photos and simple explanations of natural things happening in your yard.

Jeff Vandiver said...

Those look as big as fiddle worms. I love my worm friends....

kitsapFG said...

Excellent work - your report card of healthy/large worms is an A PLUS!

Dan said...

Lovely blooms! I miss green things and worms...

Heiko said...

We do have snakes that size, as well as worms. So when I see them I need to check whether their heads are square or round to identify them.

Erin said...

My first thought was "oh gross!" until I enlarged the picture! I thought is was a big slug! But those worms are awesome and surely working hard on your little farmette, great photos!

allisonmariecat said...

Nice! Lilah calls them "our wormy friends who help our plants grow." We have good ones out here.

Unknown said...

Those are some happy worms!

Stefaneener said...

Momma_S, she's my youngest. I'm not thrilled about holding them, but I'm so glad they're around.

Kristin, thanks. It's a nice little microcosm.

EG, what are fiddle worms? These are standard-variety earthworms I think.

kitsapFG, I thought you'd be pleased. I have plans for soil fertility!

Dan, sorry. It was the first sun in two days, if that helps at all. I know a lot of you are still under the weather.

Heiko, yikes! Are they at least nonvenomous?

Erin, slugs like that would bother me, too! She said they were "yucky" afterwards, and they had slimed her pretty badly.

Allison, you are raising her right.

Michele, happy worms make happy gardeners.

Hannah said...

Nice! I'm pretty sure my garden doesn't have any worms. The soil was basically just crushed rocks when we moved in. Over the past few years though we've been improving it and it's gotten a ton better but I still haven't seen any worms. hmmm...

el said...

Amazing what a little dirt and poop will do, eh?

Daphne Gould said...

I love all the big worms in my garden too. Sometimes they freak me out though. Worms don't usually bother me, but when one crawls over my toes and you don't know what it is - ack!

Mr. H. said...

With worms that size you certainly must have created some pretty good soil, we have lots of worms but not that size. They do look like little snakes...your daughter is quite brave.:)

Stefaneener said...

Hannah, they'll come. I don't know how they get there, but they seem to over time.

el, it is pretty wonderful. And more to come!

Daphne, you make me shudder. I once put on one of Denise's garden clogs on my bare feet and there was something. . . wet. It was a slug. Ick.

Mr. H., she was getting a little nervous about then. She didn't want to drop them.

Heiko said...

Yes, luckily we don't get many venomous snakes.

Jan said...

You're not the only one, it's definitely getting more springlike here too!

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