1. Soil Health: Earthworms help break down organic matter in the soil by consuming and excreting it, which enriches the soil and makes it more fertile.
2. Aeration: They create tunnels in soil, which helps oxygen and water penetrate deeper, allowing better root growth.
3. Nutrient Cycling: Earthworms help to cycle nutrients through the soil, making them available to plants for growth.
4. Pest Control: Earthworms help to control populations of pests like slugs and snails, by eating them and their eggs.
5. Soil Structure: By burrowing through the soil, earthworms help to create and maintain soil structure, which leads to better drainage and reduces soil compaction.
6. Increased Yield: A healthy population of earthworms in the garden can lead to increased yield in crops and produce.
7. Composting: Earthworms are a great addition to any compost system, as they are excellent decomposers and help break down organic matter quicker.