Jumping worms!

In case you are not aware of this threat to our garden beds!

We learned about 'Jumping Worms" a year ago but were not too concerned.  But, this summer we became concerned when two gardening friends discovered them in their garden beds!  Also they have been discovered near our local county compost site, which we use!

Yep, we figure it is time to become cautious and take action to lower our risk!  The best way to tell you about this special worm invasion is to advise you to check out this web site:  CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT JUMPING WORMS

I’ve not been too concerned but recently two major hosta gardening friends here have found them and are busy combating them.   (One has 1,000 varieties of hostas and one several hundred!)   How they got the jumping worms  was from eggs that were in the bagged mulch they purchased in box stores this year.  They don’t mulch their hostas but do use it in some areas on paths thru and near their beds filled with hostas as well as some perennial beds.   The recommendation is to purchase bulk mulch from local sources.  But, like many of us, we like the convenience of bagged mulch as it is easier to transport to where you want it instead of shoveling and wheeling bulk stuff!  Thus, these gardeners had elected to continue to do the convenient thing and find it brought these worms into their garden beds.  Luckily they discovered them quickly and are tackling getting rid of them before they spread, hopefully.

Just thought you should be aware of this issue as we have them found near our county compost site.  But, being heat kills them they are not in the finished compost here at this point in time anyhow.   Our compost site is posted to alert people to be watchful when picking up the compost and using it and to let them know if any of them are found!     So, it is a problem that is close to home.

Needless to say, we have purchased our last bag of shredded mulch!  I don’t use this kind of mulch much, mostly around shrubs and some perennial areas.

I do not mulch my hostas as I don't like how it works its way into the hosta crowns.

Recently I have experimented with a tiny pine wood chips mulch and am anxious to see how it worked thru the winter this year.  I find I don't need it as deep and it stays in place thru rain and looks great!  It is not easy to find, but I found Gerten's in Apple Valley has it in stock and it is priced the same as other mulches!