Q I emptied my compost bins onto the veg beds. Will the worms survive?
Monika Butler, North Yorkshire
A CHRISTINE SAYS You make me envious. I love compost and yours sounds like it’s well made with a rich mixture of both green and brown items. There are numerous species of worms. The ones that live on and break down organic matter in compost bins include Eisenia fetida, E. andrei and commonly Dendrobaena veneta.
Any worms that you add to your garden when you tip out the compost bin will soon tunnel beneath the soil surface and continue to break down organic matter for a short period of time before dying – they are not long-lived creatures.
The common earthworm, regularly seen in our gardens, is a soil dweller.