Not All Earthworms Are Created Equal
What I’ve learned about composting worms vs garden worms — and why it matters
As someone who loves growing food, talking about compost, and getting my hands into healthy soil, I’ve always believed in the magic of earthworms. I mean, what’s not to love about these quiet little garden workers turning scraps and soil into gold? But not too long ago, I realised something that totally shifted the way I think about them:
Composting worms and normal earthworms are not the same – Not even close!
I used to think any worm would do the trick — throw them in the compost heap or let them loose in the garden and let nature work. But here’s what I’ve learned (and what I wish someone had told me earlier): different worms do different jobs. And if you’re trying to build a healthy garden or start a worm farm, knowing the difference is everything.
Meet the Composting Crew (Red Wigglers)
Composting worms — also called red wigglers (their fancy name is Eisenia fetida) — are the champions of worm bins and compost heaps. These little guys live in the top layers of organic matter and absolutely love eating kitchen scraps, manure, and garden waste. They multiply fast, break things down quickly, and thrive in warm, moist environments like worm bins or compost piles.
If you’ve got a worm farm or want to compost indoors or in a small space, red wigglers are your go-to. They’re messy little magicians, turning banana peels and coffee grounds into rich, dark vermicompost that plants absolutely love.
And Then There’s the Garden Team (Nightcrawlers & Friends)
Normal earthworms — the kind you’ll find in your veggie garden when you dig in — are a completely different team. These are deeper dwellers, like the common nightcrawler (Lumbricus terrestris), and they prefer to live way down in the soil, feeding on decaying roots and organic matter in the ground.
They’re not the type to munch through your compost bin. Instead, they do the slower but equally important work of aerating the soil, improving drainage, and naturally fertilising your garden beds. They don’t like the heat of a compost pile and will wriggle away from it, fast.
So, Why Does This Matter?
It matters because putting the wrong worms in the wrong place doesn’t help either group. Composting worms won’t survive if tossed into your veggie garden beds. And normal earthworms won’t stick around in your compost heap — they’ll dive deep, or die off.
Knowing the difference helps us:
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Choose the right worms for the job,
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Set up systems that work better (like a thriving worm farm),
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And better understand how to support life above and below the soil.
Worms are a gift to the garden. But just like we don’t expect a sheepdog to act like a guard dog, we shouldn’t expect garden worms to do the job of composters — and vice versa.
So next time you spot a wriggler in the soil, give it a nod of appreciation — but don’t scoop it into your worm bin just yet. And if you’re starting a worm farm, get yourself the right crew: those wriggly, eager red composting worms who are happiest when elbow-deep in food scraps.
In the garden, as in life, every role matters — and it helps to know who’s good at what.
Happy Gardening Friends
Tash & Family
We are currently using worm bins supplied by Wizzard Worms [1]
Every time I order from Wizzard Worms [1], I’m blown away by their service. It’s fast, effective, and always friendly. Whether I’ve needed help choosing the right worm bin or had a question about feeding, they’ve always been ready to help — no fuss, just great support. It’s service like this that keeps me coming back!