As the fall and winter seasons approach, temperatures gradually begin to drop. From August to September, the temperature decreases to a range of 25°C to 22°C, marking the golden period for earthworm growth. When the temperature drops further to between 13°C and 15°C from October to November, their feeding activity starts to decline and eventually stops. Once the temperature falls below 8°C to 10°C from November to December, the earthworms enter hibernation. Practical experience has shown that proper feeding and management during autumn and winter are essential for ensuring safe overwintering, which helps secure better profits during key events such as New Year’s Day and the Spring Festival.
First, provide sufficient feed.
In early autumn, when the temperature ranges from 23°C to 28°C, earthworms are highly active and consume large amounts of food. This is an ideal time to increase their feed supply to support their growth and prepare them for the colder months ahead.
Second, maintain warmth.
As the water temperature in the pools drops during late autumn, the body temperature of the earthworms also decreases, causing their growth to slow or even stop. To counter this, artificial heat protection can be used to extend their active period. One effective method is to construct transparent plastic film shelters above the breeding ponds. These shelters allow for adequate light while reducing heat loss, thereby extending the growth period by approximately one month.
Third, ensure safe wintering.
When the temperature drops below 10°C in November each year, the earthworms stop feeding and enter dormancy. For those that haven't reached marketable size this year or are intended to be kept until high-price periods like the Spring Festival, proper wintering practices are crucial. The first method involves drying the pool: after the earthworms stop eating, the water is allowed to drain until they burrow into the bottom soil. A layer of 15 to 20 cm of straw or crop stalks is then placed on top to keep the sediment moist without freezing. The cover should not be too tight and should avoid using plastic film to prevent suffocation. Another method is deep-water wintering: before winter, the pool is filled with about one meter of water, allowing the earthworms to hibernate in the mud underwater. If the water freezes, it's important to break the ice manually to prevent oxygen depletion and potential suffocation.
Fourth, timely harvesting.
Through practical experimentation, we have developed simple and effective trapping methods that are easy to operate, leave no scars, and yield excellent results. The process involves using thick new grass, preferably straw or turf harvested that year. Soak the grass in a 5% lime water solution for a full day and night, then rinse it with fresh water and let it sit for two days. Place the mats aside. Spread a 5 cm thick layer of straw or wheatgrass on the surface of the sediment, cover it with a second layer of straw mats, and then add a 10 cm thick layer of dry straw on top. As the water temperature drops below 13°C, gradually lower the water level to 6 to 10 cm. When the temperature falls below 10°C, completely drain the water. At this point, due to the inversion layer effect created by the straw layers, the temperature above the straw is higher than that of the mud below, allowing the earthworms to move effectively between the layers. When harvesting, do not remove the straw all at once. First, lay a plastic sheet on one side and carefully remove the hay. If there is excess scum in the straw, transfer the wet grass along with the mat onto the plastic sheet for cleaning, and use a small net to collect the scum. This method ensures long-term survival of the earthworms between the muddy grass and the mats.
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