Home gardeners and commercial agricultural enterprises are increasingly integrating more natural and sustainable practices into plant production. Although chemical pesticides and fertilizers can improve crop yields, chemicals can deteriorate soil efficiency and may affect the ecosystem in negative ways. In lieu of turning to these products, farmers and home gardeners may benefit from relying more heavily on the humble earthworm.

These shy, light-sensitive creatures burrow through the soil, pulling leaves and other plant matter deep within. When the earthworms consume this detritus, the decomposed plants as well as the worms' droppings provide nutrients to the soil. Together with microbes, earthworms convert biodegradable materials and organic waste into nutrient-rich products. They also may help reduce instances of soil-borne diseases.

The benefits of worms do not end there. Earthworms also aerate the soil, enabling water to be absorbed, which helps develop strong plant roots. Earthworm burrows serve as channels where roots can elongate into deeper soil layers, enabling plants to grow more securely and deeply. This, in turn, can help reduce soil erosion. While research is ongoing, there are some reports that the unique talents of earthworms can help convert land that is largely barren into fertile soil. According to CABI, an international, inter-governmental, not-for-profit organization that provides information and applies scientific expertise to solve problems in agriculture and the environment, earthworms are useful for the management of biodiversity.

Gardeners and farmers may decide to try raising earthworms to produce compost - an activity known as vermiculture or vermicomposting. Worms may be purchased or found for breeding. Individuals will need a worm box, which can be made at home or bought from a gardening shop; materials include plastic and untreated wood. The earthworms will need a dark, moist environment with a temperature of at least 25 degrees Fahrenheit.

To start a worm farm, place moistened paper scraps into one half of the worm box. Deposit the worms on top and give them opportunities to hide. Place small amounts of organic matter, such as kitchen scraps, coffee grounds and leaves, on the paper layer every day. Leave the other side of the worm box empty, as this is where the worm dropping compost will eventually collect. Alternately, some worm farms are multi-level systems; as new levels with fresh food materials are added, some of the worms move upward into these new habitats, leaving behind the compost in the lower levels.

After two or three months, the worms should have produced a quantity of compost inhabited by newly hatched worms, which may be released into the garden along with the compost. Leave some worms behind to continue to reproduce.

By following this method, people can harness the power of the humble earthworm to amend the soil in natural ways, reducing the need to use chemical products and protecting biodiversity.