Once the worms have found their new des res, you will have splendid “worm balls” – not for those who don’t like wriggly things, but I think they’re smashing. It may take a while but it’s worth it.

We had a splendid compost heap … and then the rats found it, apparently they’re partial to the worms, as well as some of the rotting veg (don’t ask what happened to the rats: as a vegetarian and all round ‘peace and love to all fluffy things’ kinda gal, I don’t like to talk about it). We then got a ‘Bokashi’ kitchen composter, which is a box you keep under the sink, and you sprinkle a special bran on it which makes it break down quicker. It also makes it unpalatable to rats, so when you do put the contents of your Bokashi box on to your compost heap, the rats don’t come back (not that ours will, now they’re all in little ratty heaven), but the worms love it just the same. Anyhow – I just mention that in case you get a rat problem, fingers crossed that you won’t. I was most dischuffed, once I’d set up my lovely, wormy, compost heap, and then the rats moved in … one rat, I could ignore, but when the whole extended family showed up, I was a bit peeved :(