If you put plenty of compost or other organic matter (leaf mould, rotted manure, etc) mixed through the soil in your strawberry barrel the worms will find their own way in!

Basement, Just add some vermicompost and some worms to your planters, you'll be surprised how far down the Eisenia Fetida will go. I have worms in my pots every year and find them from 12" to 24" down. However, I only use them with annuals or pots that I will be re-doing every year; as they will multiply and eat everything organic from the potting mix after awhile.

Basement, Blue Ridge Vermiculture has the European Night crawlers for $30 per pound including shipping. I just got mine from there and was quite pleased. But, I'm not sure you want a nightcrawler in there. It would seem to me that when the food source got low, they would high-tail it under the cover of dark!

I think I would go with one of the earlier suggestions... JMHO!

Robert

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Here's an article about various ways to work with native earthworms from your garden.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mother Earth News worm article

I you want dew worms (Canadian night crawlers) try a bait shop or conveyance store in the spring. They sell them to fishermen.

I do not think the Canadian's will stay in your container. European Night crawlers are a good bet. They are primarily top feeders but they also will live n normal soil and they go down dee[er than red worms.

Like Beebiz said, the Euros will scram, even while there is still food there unless you keep a light on them. Perhaps letting the locals move in is a good idea. I'm going to put a few AEuros outside in my large raised beds. It is about 1/3 compost so I hope they will stay. I'm ot risking too many out there until I know they will stay.