Preparing for Worm Casts in October with the Flicker Brush

At GreenTek, we know that October is a defining month for worm cast management on golf fairways. Cooler temperatures, lingering moisture and autumn rainfall combined with vigorous turf growth create prime conditions for earthworms resurfacing, leading to a flare-up of casts right when presentation matters most.

Insights from Greenkeepers

late-summer rainfall often leaves saturated soils and cooler nights bring heavy dew, encouraging worm activity near the surface. Leaf fall adds to the moisture retention, further complicating turf surfaces, this requires a precise, proactive response:

• Remove dew daily to reduce prolonged leaf-blade wetness and fungal risk
• Light aeration with tools like the Sarel Roller or Star Slitter keeps soils oxygenated and helps moisture escape
• Strengthen the sward through low-nitrogen feeds, seaweed applications and chelated iron to harden turf against stress

About the Flicker-Brush

While these cultural strategies play a leading role, the Flicker Brush steps in as an invaluable piece of golf course maintenance machinery during peak worm-cast season. The Flicker-Brush incorporates caster wheels on each brush frame to enable the extra-long and tough bristles to skim just above the turf, flexing backward then “flicking” forward to shatter worm casts cleanly, without smearing them into the sward.

Used just once or twice weekly, the 5.3 m version is ideal for fairways and approaches, while the compact 2.2 model efficiently handles smaller areas like sports pitches. In addition to worm cast dispersal, the Flicker-Brush also helps with dew dispersal, brushing-in topdressing, and can be used more aggressively to lift turf fibre and correct nap, enhancing cut quality even during the wetter autumn months.

Real Results

Wetherby Golf Club’s Course Manager, Darren Morris, reports that integrating the Flicker-Brush into his regimen led to improved sward density and cut quality, allowing a reduction in mowing from three to two times per week, reducing the need for fuel, labour and machine use by 33%.

Why GreenTek?

With worm-cast conditions inevitable between autumn and late spring, GreenTek machinery supports a strategic blend of preventative cultural practices with precise equipment solutions. The Flicker-Brush is a unique solution for worm casts: non-chemical, effective and designed to produce immaculate turf even in damp autumn conditions.

Reach out now if you'd like to see the unique Flicker-brush in action.