Our Garden Worms, specifically Lumbricus terrestris, are natural soil architects and vital for any gardening project, from large-scale landscaping to nurturing small garden plots and raised beds.
Wiggly Tip: When setting up a raised bed, incorporating a mix of garden worms and composting worms can significantly enhance soil health. We recommend starting with about 50 garden worms and 250g of composting worms for an average-sized raised bed.
Lumbricus terrestris has been extensively studied by Charles Darwin, who noted their remarkable ability to enhance soil conditions over his 60-year study. These worms act as a natural micro-plough within the soil, not only enhancing the structure and nutrient levels but also aiding in the decomposition process which is crucial for plant health.
Environmental Impact
In gardens, especially new housing estates where construction may have degraded soil quality, reintroducing garden worms helps restore the natural ecosystem. These worms are particularly effective in improving the soil from the bottom up, encouraging the presence of wildlife such as birds and hedgehogs. They are deep burrowing so work the soil from the surface down to around 2 metres.
Instructions for Use
When your worms arrive, it is important to keep them cool and introduce the worms to your garden within 48 hours. For best results, dig a small hole approximately the size of a golf ball every square meter, and place 5-8 worms in each. Cover them gently with soil. Early morning is the optimal time for this activity to protect the worms from predators and ensure they adapt quickly to their new environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many worms do I need for my garden? A: For general garden use, 100 worms per 10 square metres is recommended. For raised beds, start with about 50 garden worms and 250g of composting worms.
Q: What are the benefits of adding worms to raised beds? A: Worms enhance soil structure, promote nutrient cycling, and improve drainage and aeration, making them ideal for raised beds with new soil and compost.
Q: How do worms help in large garden projects like the Eden Project? A: Worms improve the soil by aerating it and increasing fertility, which is crucial for sustaining large-scale plantings and ensuring long-term growth.
Please note these earthworms / earth worms are native to the UK but they are produced in Canada for a Worldwide (HUGE) market that is mostly fishing. Most of them come into Europe on a ship but some are airfreighted if there is space on a passenger plane so this carbon footprint can be borne in mind when you purchase.)
In terms of safety and pathogens the worms are our native species of Lumbricus Terrestris and the reason they are harvested in Canada in Ontario is because when we exported them over there many many years ago they loved the Ontario soil and the crops they grow out there and thrived and unlike here do not have natural predators.
The worms go through the Canadian system for health certificates and then they are put into a sterile carrier which and are fully tested and certified for plant health and via Defra.
Adding over 50,000 worms to The Eden Project when it was first built. They realised the need to radically improve the soil both inside and outside the Biomes. We added garden worms which will burrow to over two metres and composting worms for the top few inches.
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Shipping Information
Our standard delivery charge is £4.95
(Next Day delivery is £7.95)
*GB mainland only and other exclusions apply. Please see below for full details.
| Area | Standard Delivery | Royal Mail (Live Orders) | Next Working Day Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mainland UK (excludes highlands) | £4.95 (Free over £75) | £4.95 | £7.95 |
| Falkirk, Aberdeen Perth Kirkwall Paisley and Inverness Areas (not islands), Isle of Man and Isle of Wight | £10.95 | £4.95 | N/A |
| For Scottish Islands, Outer Hebrides, Kilmarnock area, Paisley area, Chanel Islands and Northern Ireland | £15.95 | £4.95 | N/A |
All our orders are now despatched from our farm here in Herefordshire and so we’ve made a few changes. We will always despatch orders as soon as possible, but we do offer a next day delivery service (some restrictions apply) for those urgent orders.
Wiggly Standard Delivery (3 - 5 day delivery) £4.95 within mainland Britain
If you don't mind when your order arrives... (within reason of course) Choose standard delivery and we will despatch your order with the best option for us. This may be APC Overnight, DPD or Royal Mail. You need to allow 2 - 5 days for delivery, and we can post to anywhere in mainland Britain. See below if you are in Highlands and Islands.
Next Week Day delivery for £7.95 to mainland Britain
If you need a guaranteed Next Day delivery then please choose the Next Day delivery option. If you order on a Friday then the delivery will be with you on the following Monday. Please note there are no deliveries on Saturdays, Sundays or Bank Holidays. You must order before 1pm for your order to be sent to arrive the following working day. If you order after 1pm then your order will be shipped on the next working day.
Important - Highlands and Islands
IF your order contains JUST live worms and is under 2 kilos - whether that’s composting worms, wax worms or mealworms you will have the option in the checkout to choose standard delivery at £4.95. This is because we can use Royal Mail for this service. Otherwise you will see the extra cost options for a courier to deliver your package – please note there is no guaranteed next day service to these areas so please allow extra time and track your package for information.
For Falkirk, Aberdeen Perth Kirkwall Paisley and Inverness Areas (not islands), Isle of Man and Isle of Wight the charge is £10.95
Postcodes:
AB37-38 AB41-56 FK 17-21 IV1- 40 IV52-54 IV63 KW1-14 PA21-40 PA80 PH15-50 IM1-9 IM86-87 IM99 PO30-41)
For Scottish Islands, Outer Hebrides, Kilmarnock area, Paisley area, Chanel Islands and Northern Ireland the charge is £15.95
Postcodes:
HS1-9 IV41-56 KA27-28 KW15-17 PA20 PA41-78 PH42-44 ZE1-3 BT1-99 JE1-5 GY1-10)
REFUNDS POLICY
Damaged or Faulty Goods
In the unlikely event that you receive an item that is damaged or faulty, we can offer a full refund within 60 days of the customer receiving the order. We simply require photographic evidence of the damaged/faulty item with tracking number within 7 days.
To return a damaged or faulty item is free of charge, please contact wiggly@wigglywigglers.co.uk with your name, address & order number and our customer service team will advise on the easiest way to send.
Once the item has been received and inspected by our customer care team, you will be notified that a refund has been issued and feel free to order the item again from our website.
In the case of LIVE WORMS these can’t be returned so in the unlikely event that they have arrived damaged please take a photo on the same day and send that photo straight away to our team wiggly@wigglywigglers.co.uk with a description of what the problem is and ensure you include your name, address and order number.
Once the photograph and description has been looked over by our customer care team they will get back to you to advise or issue a replacement or refund.
Returning an Order
Sometimes it just doesn’t work out. We get that. If you’ve changed your mind and want to cancel your order, we ask that you contact our sales team and return the item in its original packaging within 60 days to:
Wiggly Wigglers Lower Blakemere Farm, Blakemere, Herefordshire HR2 9PX
Unfortunately, we aren’t able to cover the cost of returning unwanted items, so the postage cost of returning these items is the responsibility of the customer. Please ensure that you obtain proof of posting as items being returned are the responsibility of the customer until the items reach our farm.
Once the item has been received and inspected by our customer care team, you will be notified that your refund has been issued. Please note the item must be returned with the original packaging, as new, unused, and free of defects.
Of course if you cancel your order before the items are shipped out a refund will be issued right away.
Please email us at wiggly@wigglywigglers.co.uk if you need any further information.
Why add garden worms?
Improved nutrient availability
Worms love dead roots, leaves, grasses, manure and soil. Their digestive system concentrates the organic and mineral constituents in the food they eat, so their casts are richer in available nutrients than the soil around them. Nitrogen in the casts is readily available to plants. Worm bodies decompose rapidly, further contributing to the nitrogen content of the soil.
Worm casts release four times more phosphorus than standard surface soil. Plants love them too as they are a brilliant environment for root growth, they can also help roots penetrate deeper to more nutrients and moisture.
Improved drainage
By burrowing in the soil, worms loosen and aerate the soil and greatly improve soil drainage. Soils with earthworms drain up to 10 times faster than soils without earthworms. In zero-till soils, where worm populations are high, water infiltration can be up to 6 times greater than in cultivated soils.
Improved soil structure
Worm casts help to rebuild topsoil, they can also store moisture without it dispersing - greatly benefitting plants.
The Wiggly Story: Bringing Your Garden to Life.
Nestled in the heart of rural Herefordshire, within The Duchy of Cornwall estate lies Lower Blakemere Farm – the cherished home of Wiggly Wigglers and founder, Heather Gorringe. From its humble beginnings on Heather’s kitchen table over 30 years ago, our small but dedicated team is working hard on a legacy of sustainability and regeneration. Our farm isn’t merely a plot of land; it’s a dynamic hub where we’re aiming to balance food production with biodiversity and since we started our regenerative journey there’s a real focus on improving soil health and sustainability. Beyond our own endeavours, we’re passionate about sharing best practices and developing products designed to Bring your Garden to life.
The Wiggly Promise
At Wiggly Wigglers, it’s not just about sales (though we appreciate your orders and support for the farm!).
We’re here to offer a range of sustainable solutions that add fun to composting, boost biodiversity, and make bring your home and garden to live, whilst making the world just a little bit greener.
- Trusted: We’ve been here for over 30 years, with over 100,000 orders shipped.
- Try our products: We have a risk free 60 Day No Quibble Returns policy.
- Great Value: Buy Direct - we grow, mix, pack and ship direct from our farm in Herefordshire.
