I agree that coffee filters break down; too rapidly, making more work in having to repot. I've had a roll of weed/landscape cloth for a few years now, and cut a narrow length off, then again into squares, which I use to put over the pot's drainage hole. This prevents insects entering the pot that way. but, I am so envious -- would love to have some earthworms. I've hardly ever seen one in my flower beds and neither have a lot of my gardening friends. We have very sandy "soil" in our part of Florida. Even though I amend it as much as possible, that's why I do a lot of container gardening.
