|
If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online.
|
The Not-So-Celebrated Jumping Worm of McLean County
Also known as snakeworms or Alabama wigglers, the jumping worm is not a welcome guest. These invaders arrived in North America a century ago, but are really making their presence felt in the last 15 years or so. Though they closely resemble the naturalized earthworms gardeners cherish (those aren’t native, either), jumping worms are far less helpful. The ecological changes wrought by other earthworm species have been largely welcome, because they convert less bioavailable nutrients into forms that are more readily used by plants, and help plants access those nutrients by moving them downward while aerating and structuring the soil. Jumping worms, on the other hand, live only in the top few inches of soil, so they don’t aerate or loosen the soil around plant roots. They don’t help create the nice porous “crumb structure” that increases water-holding capacity, creates airspace for helpful inhabitants, and facilitates the reach of roots. They don’t move nutrients into the soil or make them more accessible for plants. They do, however, devour leaf litter and other organic matter at the surface, competing with other soil creatures for food. By eliminating the layer of protection that guards against soil erosion, jumping worms make it harder for saplings and annuals to get a good start.
Jumping worms vary in size. They may appear grey-ish and metallic compared to other earthworms. A key visual identifier is their clitellum - that’s the band that looks different than the rest of the worm. The jumping worm’s clitellum is smooth (not raised) and white. It is closer to the head compared to other earthworms, and it wraps all the way around the body. These worms are a bit stiffer than other worms, and are known as snakeworms because of their hallmark energetic writhing, which can sometimes make them appear to leap. Though they are native to Asian grasslands, jumping worms on this continent are primarily found in wooded areas, yards, and gardens. Their presence is often noted after they have consumed leaf litter, because they leave the soil bare with a “coffee grounds” or “ground beef” appearance.
The good news is that these worms don’t appear to migrate much on their own. They are spread by humans, primarily in hardwood mulch and compost, and when plants are moved. The eggs and the worms are killed by proper composting (such as the processes used in our BN Community Composting kiosk program), and by commercial heat-treatment of mulch. Because of this, we are told that compost, mulch, and plants produced by professional enterprises are generally not of concern. If you compost at home, be sure to monitor the pile or bin to ensure that proper temperatures (140 to 160 degrees F) are reached. Finally, if you find yourself walking in an area known or suspected to be infested with jumping worms, clean your shoes before entering your yard or garden.
Invasive species can cause myriad ecological problems, but these worms can only do that with our help. By keeping an eye out for unnaturally bare soil, and taking care not to move worms or eggs in mulch, compost or plants, we can get the jump on jumping worms, and keep them out of our yards and gardens! |
Being Yard Smart Keeps our Waterways Clean
With warmer, longer days we have been spending a lot more of our free time in our yards and gardens! You too? The EAC’s Yard Smart program is a great resource you can use to ensure your gardening and lawn care practices are environmentally friendly.
It is easy to forget that our individual green spaces can have a negative impact on our larger environment. Did you know nutrient pollution, caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus in the water, is one of our country’s most widespread and costly environmental problems? Those elements are natural parts of water systems, but when they become overabundant it triggers a number of problems that are harmful to wildlife, humans, and the economy.
Too much nitrogen and phosphorus in water causes algae to grow rapidly, and that overgrowth reduces water quality, depletes food resources and habitat, and decreases oxygen levels that other aquatic life need to survive. This algae growth is also harmful to humans because it causes increased bacterial growth which can make people sick if they swim in polluted water, drink contaminated water, or consume contaminated seafood.
What does all this have to do gardening? Nutrient pollution is largely caused by nonpoint source pollution which occurs with rainfall or snowmelt moves over and through the ground, picking up and carrying natural and human-made pollutants and depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, and ground water. Our storm water systems are the major carrier of nonpoint source pollution in our community, so when we use chemical lawn and garden treatments, leave our pet waste on the ground, let our vehicles leak fluid, and rake leaves and yard waste into the street, it washes away with the rain into the storm drains, and on to our streams and rivers contributing to excess levels of nitrogen and phosphorus.
Yard Smart provides a wide variety of tips to help reduce the need for chemical additives and to provide opportunities to conserve natural resources and make your yard a welcoming space for wildlife and people. Some of the tips include:
- Incorporating more native plants into your garden: they are beautiful and hearty, and their long root systems help them survive drought, not require additional watering, and absorb water which helps reduce water runoff and makes them ideal plants for rain gardens
- Lawn care practices designed to make your grass healthier without chemical additives: like mowing higher, hand weeding, and reducing thatch
- Using rain barrels and rain gardens to collect rain water and prevent runoff
- Organic non-pollutant options for pest and weed control, and garden and lawn enhancement
You can find comprehensive materials on these topics and more at YardSmart.org. Already using many of these practices in your own garden? You can certify your garden with us and get a plaque for your yard to let friends and neighbors know your outdoor spaces are safe for all living things!
We also host an annual garden walk to highlight local yards using these practices so people can see that gardens can be beautiful, functional, and environmentally friendly at the same time. Look out for updates on our Yard Smart Garden Walk coming this July! |
BloNo Interfaith Green Team
The BloNo Interfaith Green Team was created to provide (virtual currently) gathering space for faith communities and friends in Bloomington-Normal to share ideas and to support each other in protecting and preserving a healthy environment. The faith groups that gather share a common value that the Earth and the environment should be respected and protected. There is no pressure to join any specific efforts, rather the group seeks ways to build coalitions of support for work being done to further the health and revitalization of the planet, here in Bloomington/Normal and around the world. The Interfaith Green Team meets monthly, often on a Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. Sometimes there are special guest speakers, but typically the meetings involve sharing updates from faith community representatives and updates form community partners like the Ecology Action Center and Faith in Place. Newcomers are welcome! The next meeting is June 3 at 7pm and you can find the meeting information in the EAC Green Events calendar. |
The Return of Rain Barrel Workshops
Rain barrel workshops are back! See how our barrels are built, and why many of the particular design features were chosen. You’ll learn how to locate, install, set up, clean and winterize your barrel, and enjoy an opportunity for Q&A with our resident expert! In addition to a wealth of knowledge, participants will receive a discount on an EAC rain barrel. Check our BN Green Events calendar (https://ecologyactioncenter.org/bngreenevents/) soon for upcoming online workshops. Planning for in-person workshops is also in progress! |
|
|
