A Gathering of Gardeners

The last meeting was principally centered around the threat that the Asian Jumping Worm poses to Oregon (and not just Oregon) gardens.  An invasive species, it deprives the soil of nutrients, eliminating a protective layer of organic matter.  Here is some additional information:

IDENTIFICATION.  First off, see the photo above and note the “white” (it most often seems to have a flesh color) ring at the front end.  ‘Jumping’ is a bit of a misnomer, but if. you touch them they will be “wiggly and thrash around.  Probably the best description came from Deb, who said “like fish out of water.”

(This is quite accurate.  Linda and I found two in our compost pile.  Regular worms, when touched, moved a bit.  The Asian Jumping Worms thrashed around spasmodically.  The difference in behavior is remarkable.

Jumping worms tend to live near the top two inches of the soil, whereas regular worms tend to be actively more deeply (but not always).

TREATMENT:  A hot compost pile is a must.  The sources we’ve reviewed say that a cold compost pile is their preferred hanging-out place (which says, sadly, a lot about the state of our compost pile).

Mustard powder mixed with water works well.  It won’t kill them, but will drive them to the surface so you can harvest and dispose of them.

RESOURCES: Evelyn has sent out several emails listing sources for information (the June 12, 2026 episode of the Oregon Field Guide just came out, so others are actively aware of the threat posed by the worms.  We’ll gather all the information and present an updated source-guide in a few days.  In addition, typing ‘Asian Jumping Worm’ will provide any number of YouTube videos.

KEEP IN MIND: Deb said something reassuring at the last meeting.  “It sounds like the end of the world, and then you realize it’s not the end of the world.  But you do need to take some precautions.”

GARDEN CLUB ASIAN JUMPING WORM TEST: At the last meeting it was agreed that everyone would turn over the top two inches of their compost pile and report if they were finding Asian Jumping worms to the ground. The results of this inventory will be shared here, also in a matter of a few days.