Liming the brassica plot - good idea??

[Malc]

Last spring I limed my brassica plot (deep bed) as usual prior to planting. I spread the lime on the surface and turned it in with a fork. I immediately noticed several worms apparently writhing in agony. I picked up all the ones I could see and washed them in water and put them on another deep bed. Most seemed to survive but some died.
Since I have always assumed worms were very beneficial I was horrified at this. Has anyone else noticed this and is it worth continuing with liming?

[Shetty]

Hi Malc
welcome to this site.
I have never noticed worms trying to escape after limimg the soil, butI have very peaty (acidic) soil and I usually just scatter mine on the top and leave it to soak in (the lazy way)

Maybe your soil is fairly alcaline already, so the extra lime would raise it to a level too high for the worms?
Maybe you could get one of these soil testing kits, which tells you the ph.
Let us know how you get on