W longer available, many grounds teams are reviewing their mowing strategy. Trimax explains why trailed rotary mowers are increasingly part of the solution.
GREENKEEPING
Worm Cast Issues? A Practical Approach to Managing the Impact
ith chemical control no
W longer available, many grounds teams are reviewing their mowing strategy. Trimax explains why trailed rotary mowers are increasingly part of the solution.
Earthworms are essential for healthy soil. Their movement improves aeration, drainage and nutrient cycling— all critical for sustainable turf management.
However, while beneficial below the surface, worm casts above it continue to present a persistent challenge for greenkeepers and grounds professionals— particularly since the withdrawal of Carbendazim removed the industry’ s most widely used chemical control.
With no chemical solution available, the focus has shifted from elimination to management. The question is no longer how do we stop worm casts? but rather how do we minimise their impact on presentation, machinery and labour?
The Real Problem: Smearing and Machinery Wear
Worm casts become problematic in damp conditions, particularly through autumn and winter when worm activity increases and casts remain soft.
When cylinder mowers pass over fresh casts:
• Rollers clog and lose traction
• Soil is smeared across the surface
• Units can skid
• Abrasive material enters the cutting interface
The result is accelerated wear between cylinder and bottom blade. Sharpening intervals shorten, cut quality declines, time is lost clearing clogged rollers and workshop hours increase.
Over time, this becomes more than an inconvenience. Increased grinding cycles, additional labour for brushing, and compromised presentation standards all carry operational cost.
The issue is not the presence of worms— it is how mowing equipment reacts to soft surface contamination.
Traditional Mitigation— And Its Limitations
Greenkeepers have adapted as best they can. Common strategies include:
• Delaying mowing until casts dry
• Brushing prior to cutting
• Deploying older machinery during peak casting periods
• Reducing mowing frequency
While these approaches can help reduce smearing, they often introduce new pressures:
• Additional labour passes
• Increased fuel and machine hours
• Disrupted maintenance schedules
• Compromised presentation during busy periods
In short, they manage the symptoms rather than addressing the root mechanical issue.
24 GroundskeepingJournal. co. uk | March / April 2026