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Count Your Earthworms
Use earthworms to gauge the health of the soil under your lawn, says Michael Talbot, the owner of Michael Talbot and Associates, a Massachusetts ecological landscape design and maintenance company. Talbot likes to see at least five earthworms per square foot in the soil; ten is ideal. Any less than five, and it's time to add organic matter.
To Conduct an Earthworm Survey: Spring is the ideal time to check for earthworm activity. Wait until the soil temperature is at least 50°F and soil moisture content at the surface is 20 percent or more. Using a shovel or spade, dig a cube of soil measuring roughly 1 foot on each side, and lay it next to the hole on the ground's surface. Break it apart, and look for earthworms. You'll find at least ten earthworms per cubic foot in a healthy soil. Repeat the procedure at several locations in your garden. If your soil's average is fewer than ten worms per cubic foot, it's time to add more organic matter to your soil.
