🪱 The Silent Soil Crisis: Why Earthworms Matter 🪱 Why Healthy Soil is a Big Deal Earthworms aerate soil, making it easier for roots, water, and air to penetrate. Just 1 acre of healthy land can support up to 1 million worms, processing 10 tons of soil a year! Without worms, soil becomes compacted, nutrient-poor, and drought-prone. A healthy underground network = a thriving garden above. What’s Harming Earthworms Heavy machinery and foot traffic crush soil structure and tunnels. Leaf removal starves worms and exposes soil to extreme weather. Pesticides & fertilizers kill worms and vital microbes. Bare winter soil leads to deeper freezing and worm die-off. How You Can Help Leave the leaves – mulch garden beds naturally. Create a leaf compost zone – slow-feed the soil over time. Avoid walking on wet soil – protect fragile structure. Feed the soil organically – use compost, not chemicals. Earthworms can live up to 8 years in a healthy environment — or die within weeks in a compacted one. They’ve been enriching earth for 300 million years — let’s not undo their work!