Cast

A digested soil which has been left by an earthworm on a turf surface. Surface casts can be unsightly in large quantities; act as ideal weed seed beds; smother turf; encourage disease; produce reduced quality playing conditions; can cap over and seal off sand slits. They can also affect maintenance activities by, for example, sticking to cylinder mowers and front rollers. The brushing of earthworm casts should only be done in relatively dry conditions, otherwise the cast will just be squashed flat, and will not disperse. There are three main earthworm species which produce surface casts within the UK, with another three species which occasionally produce surface casts. This is also referred to as Surface Casting, or Earthworm Casts.