You may have heard about them. You may have them in your garden! The so-called "crazy Asian jumping snake worms" suddenly seem to be everywhere. They are certainly in some (if not many) of our local gardens, and this is a concern. Here's some info and a link:
"Earthworms might be a friendly sight in gardens or your favorite tool for catching fish, but most earthworms in the northeast U.S. are non-native.
Jumping worms, a group of species originally from Asia, are invasive species that alter soil qualities and make it inhospitable for some plants and animals. They do this by consuming the upper organic layer of soil, which leaches nutrients and erodes the ground. This makes it hard for many plants (including garden plants) to grow and threatens even the most well-tended lawns. What's worse– humans spread worms without realizing it, carrying jumping worm egg cases (cocoons) in soil, mulch, potted plants, landscaping equipment, and even the treads of shoes and tires." (https://www.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Extension-Community-Horticulture/JWORM_Homeowner_Gui[...]pdf)
These worms are starting to emerge now, and will be actively reproducing by mid-May. Watch for "castings" in the soil that resemble coffee grounds. Check on the link above and this one below for more information on how to identify and manage them. https://www.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Extension-Master-Gardener/Josef_Intro_to_Snake_Worms.pdf
Want to know more? The Friends of the MS Library is sponsoring an informational presentation at the Middletown Springs Library on Monday, May 9 at 7:15 PM. There is a similar presentation scheduled at the Pawlet Library on Saturday, May 14 at 10:00 AM.
Juanita Burch-Clay, UVM Extension Master Gardener
Oct 5, 10 AM to 5 PM, Oct 6, 2024
Emmett Francois on the Evolution of PhotographyOct 6, 2024, 2 to 4 PM
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