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
From page 32
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
Continued on page 35
33 www. sasmallholder. co. za