Worm Casts On Lawn During Winter

Managing Worm Casts During Winter

Worm activity often increases during mild, wet winter weather, leading to the appearance of worm casts on the lawn surface. While worms are beneficial for soil health, casts left on the surface can cause smearing, surface compaction, and poor turf quality if not managed correctly.

Best practice for dealing with worm casts:

• Wait for a dry day when the casts have dried out

• Brush gently using a yard brush, swish, or witch’s broom brush

• When dry, the casts will shatter and disintegrate, returning fine soil back into the turf surface

• Avoid brushing when casts are wet, as this will smear the soil across the grass, sealing the surface and increasing the risk of disease

Regular light brushing under the right conditions helps maintain a clean, open sward and prevents surface damage throughout the winter months.