IN THE GARDEN
This one chomps the good guys
Have you seen a worm in your soil that looks like a tiny wet snake in the body , but with a triangular head ? If you have , you are , sadly the dubious custodian of a hammrrhead worm . Hammerhead worms are
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lower pH and reduce the need to lime the vegetable plots at a later date . It is possible to substitute ash for ground lime . Unlike agricultural limestone , which is slow-acting , wood ash works its magic quickly due to its small particle size . However , home-produced ash isn ' t a standardised product , which means its content will vary . Being alkaline , wood ash obviously isn ' t an ideal addition if your soil already flatworms , which means they are members of the phylum Platyhelminthes . There are several species of hammerhead worms , so the term “ hammerhead worm ” actually ranges over multiple types of similar worms that belong to the genus Bipalium .
has a pH of 7.5 or greater . Nor is it recommended for areas where you intend to grow potatoes ( much though they enjoy potassium ) as increased alkalinity can encourage the potato scab fungus . You can also make ash tea to prevent or correct potassium deficiencies . Brown spots , curling leaf tips , yellowing between leaf veins , slower plant growth , and reduced crop yield are some of the tell-tale signs that your plants are not receiving enough
Hammerheads are not indigenous to South Africa . These worms can grow to be quite large , up to 50 cms in length.
They are nocturnal , so it is easiest to find them at night , but they
WOOD ASH
potassium . And some plants , like tomatoes , potatoes , raspberries and beets are much more prone to deficiencies . To make tea from wood ash , place 2,5 kg of ash in a cloth bag ( eg , an old pillowcase ) and tie it closed . Place the ash bag in a rubbish bin filled with water and allow it to steep for several days . Once the ash tea has brewed , pour about a cup ' s worth around your plants weekly .
Hammerhead worm ... not your friend are commonly seen in the morning too . They are most often found on the surface after it has rained . Like earthworms , hammerhead worms live in the soil because they need a moist environment to survive . The problem with hammerheads is that they eat earthworms , so they are not welcome in your garden or your compost heap . What ' s so important about earthworms ? The famous naturist Charles Darwin spent the last years of his life studying earthworms , because he felt them to be crucial in the natural scheme
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