Dealing with earthworms

Problems with earthworm castings (the polite word for the small mounds of poop that earthworms deposits on the turf surface) are worst during the rainy, cool weather that many locations experience in the fall, winter and spring. Efforts to decrease earthworm casts are often quite frustrating because of our love/hate relationship with these creatures. First of all, the very same conditions that promote healthy turf (adequate moisture and fertility) also promote healthy earthworms. Attempts to reduce earthworm populations by reducing…