Earthworms are a gardeners best friend. They pull trimmings down into the soil, they eat, they poop, and that poo is worth it's weight in gold. Worms aerate the soil, break up hardpan, give water channels to get down to the roots, bring leaves, trimmings and half rotted stuff down into the soil, where it breaks up and feeds the soil, and the plants that grow in it. people all over have vermicomposters for a reason! They make the best soil amendment in the world, for next to no $. As someone else said, no worms means very little soil fertility. You want to do the Earth a favor? Buy worms and dump them in a garden.