Question about earthworms

Hi folks,
I just dug up a plant the rabbits were really munching on and put it in a pot. There were lots of earthworms in the dirt. Does anybody know if I should remove the earthworms?
Thanks,
Angele
the plant: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/49138/

EARTHWORMS ARE YOUR FRIENDS!!!! THE MORE YOU HAVE IN YOUR SOIL, THE HAPPIER YOUR GARDEN!!! LONG LIVE THE EARTHWORM!

YES! I know that but will they be ok in a pot? :-)

Angelle,
Your earthworms will only thrive where they are happy. They should be fine in the container. If they leave, it's only to go find some soil that makes them happy.

I'm not sure how they would do in containers--especially if it's a container that's going to sit in the sun I'm not sure they'll appreciate the temperature fluctuations. I really don't know for sure, but I think they'd be happier back in the garden (it's probably best to shake off as much of your garden soil as you can anyway and put the plant in some nice potting mix, garden soil typically doesn't drain well enough to use in containers)

I have to agree with Ecrane on both counts. I shun the use of garden soil/topsoil in containers because of the compaction aeration issues it causes. I also feel that earthworms have no place in my containers. Their job is in the garden, where they digest large particles of organic matter & turn them into very small particles. The last thing we want for our containerized plants is to have them trying to survive in a soil that has collapsed (lost all its air-holding ability and holds too much water) because of earthworm activity.

Al

Thanks very much. :-)