Worm casts

[Baboonboy]

I have big patches of mud on my lawn caused I think by worm casts. What is the best way to deal with this and will the grass grow back? Many thanks in advance. BB

[compman]

The worm casts on my lawn year this year are bigger than I've ever seen. I'm waiting for the ground to dry out a bit and then will use something like a besom broom, you know the type witches use :), to scatter the casts.

I don't know what other suggestions you will get but I'll be interested to read them. The one thing I don't want to do is to actually get rid of the worms, they do too much good overall.

[Catso]

They're saving you the trouble of airating your lawn! Leave them alone - next time it rains, they'll probably just dissolve away.

I can never understand why so many lawn weedkiller/feeds have worm killer included - why do they think I want to kill the worms?

[Thunderbird+]

Hi Baboonboy,
At this late stage in the season, you may well have decided to lock your mower away in the shed until spring, if so you can scarify the surfice by just roughening it up a little with a spring-tine rake, select a grass seed type to suit your needs ie-'Hard wearing; 'for shady areas' etc, sow thinly over the bare muddy patches, then cover with a thin layer of general purpose compost or good top soil and if necessary cover with a piece of chicken wire to prevent any disturbance, the seed will just stay dormant until the ground warms up enough in the spring (do this when there is no frost imminent) If you have to get the mower out before germination, just mow around the seeded areas.
This task is best done after Compman's good answer!
Good Luck Tbird+

[Baboonboy]

Many thanks to you all. I don't want to kill the worms, just want the grass to grow back next spring so all your advice has been very useful.