Book Giveaway: The Earth Moved: On the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms by Amy Stewart

Antonio Reis, web producer

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The charming cover of Stewart's book.

Photo: Courtesy of Algonquin Books

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If dog is man's best friend, then worm is gardener's bestie. Can you guess why? If not, you might need to hear what Fine Gardening's contributing editor and Garden Rant blogger Amy Stewart has to say about earthworms. She discovered their allure when moving into her current California home (I won't even try to tell the story as brilliantly as she does in the latest episode of our Garden Confidential podcast). One thing led to another, and Stewart discovered that she wasn’t alone in her passion for earthworms, with luminaries like Charles Darwin considering the creatures in his book titled The Formation of Vegetable Mould through the Action of Worms. Stewart followed Darwin’s lead and launched her own studies, culminating in The Earth Moved: On the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms, a required read for gardeners who want to know what's happening below the surface of the soil they work.

Listen to the podcast, then post a comment
Join our host Andrew Keys as he and Stewart discuss the ubiquitous worm (Episode 5: Down to Earth). Then, post a comment on the podcast blog page by 5:00 pm ET on Sunday, April 8 for a chance to win your own free copy of The Earth Moved: On the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms by Amy Stewart.

We have a winner!

Shiela Horspool of California has been randomly selected as the winner of a free copy of The Earth Moved: On the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms by Amy Stewart. She and a friend have already purchased a new worm bin, and look forward to a bounty of castings, even though all their friends think they're weird because of it.

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Comments (7)

Wood_Nymph writes: It is interesting that she speaks to the areas where earth worms have altered the forest floors. There seems to be a lot of conversation/concern lately that earthworms can be considered an invasive species. Posted: 8:02 pm on April 7th

ladymay1 writes: I had no idea the earthworms were that important. I'm definitely interested in reading the entire book to find out what else i've been doing wrong. Maybe I'll be buying it if I don't win one to save money in the long run on the plants i've been unable to grow. Posted: 8:35 pm on April 3rd

redshirt295 writes: The worms crawl in the worms crawl out .... who knew some of this stuff?! I like to see my worms as I move soil from my compost pile - I know it's working then. Posted: 2:28 pm on April 3rd

JAL85 writes: Well, this certainly changes things! I can't wait to read more about these little creatures. I always put them in my raised beds. Great info! Thanks! Posted: 8:44 pm on April 2nd

user-923501 writes: Yes...the more worms, the merrier! After a cool spring rain, my daughter and I enjoy collecting worms we find on our field walks and adding them strategically to the areas thay are most needed! :) Looking forward to a great read! Posted: 7:38 pm on April 2nd

Mike7561 writes: Very interesting podcast. I can't wait to read this book! Posted: 6:14 pm on April 2nd

user-913701 writes: One interesting fact I learned from this podcast was the importance of not disturbing the ground (and the earthworms). I have always understood that when adding organic material it is important to dig it in, but worried about disturbing dormant plants (eg. bulbs). When visiting the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens recently I noticed that they added compost to the top of their beds and began doing this myself. Because of this podcast I shall continue to spread worm castings and compost on top of the soil and know that the indigenous worms appreciate not being disturbed! Posted: 11:15 am on April 2nd

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