how well/quickly does good soil "spread"?

I'm wondering how quickly worms and beneficial microorganisms can spread from one plot of soil to bordering areas.  Your "post hole digger" concept certainly supports the idea that this is possible, but I'm unclear on how long the process takes and how effective it is.

Is there any reliable information on this?

I have no reliable information. 

Thanks, Paul.  I guess asking for "reliable information" was a little much.  I'd settle for an educated hunch, if you could venture that. 

I have had some feedback on the worm-hole-habitat idea working out really well.  I kinda would like to see it first hand - or get some pictures on a somewhat experimental plot.  Maybe one hole ....

I would guess that a hole that is 12 inches wide and three feet deep that is refilled with sticks, compost, dirt, etc. would probably have noticable imact for two to five feet outside of the hole.  The closer to the hole, the better the results. 

I think it would also be a large positive impact for grass, but not so much for most weeds - thus giving grass an edge over weeds. 

Paul,

What sort of info are you looking to gather?  I'm thinking of trying this idea in my front yard either this week or next.  I'd be happy to take some notes and pictures.

I have crappy clay dirt in my yard with a lot of stones and erosion - I'm on a hill and my back yard is pitched quite a bit.  My front yard is flat though and I saw a lot of earthworms when I was pulling weeds last fall.  I'm hoping an infusion of worm-food will improve my clay-dirt and my lawn as a result.

I'm a newbie at the organic lawn stuff though.  I tried the chemicals last year but I wasn't thrilled with the results and I felt guilty doing it.  I'll probably need some guidance.

-joe

How about pictures of the spot before the hole; then of the hole being dug; the hole being filled; then two weeks later; and a few as you think about it.  It would be great to have a pic for one year later and two years later.

sounds good.  I'll give it a go this week or next.

I'm planning to use some commercial compost that I'll mix with commercial soil/dirt along with my local dirt, sticks & leaves.

I don't have homemade compost to use.

-joe