To scarify the lawn

What is scarifying?

A lawn scarifier. or sometimes called ‘dethatcher’, cuts through the soil. It helps to remove dead moss and grass cuttings. It also helps to aerate the soil and making it healthier.

Scarifying or aerating?

Aeration perforates the soil with small holes and allows air, water and nutrients to go deep and built-up grass. It is a very important element to a healthy lawn, but aerating alone will not remove moss or thatch.

Why it is important to scarify?

The removal of thatch and moss is very important because it allows the lawn to breathe. The grass comes back thicker and healthier than ever.

If dead grass cuttings and moss are allowed to sit on the lawn, they can prevent rain water from draining deep under the ground. Moss growth can be caused by excess moisture and this will make the problem even worse.

The perfect scarifier?

You can easily select the right lawn scarifier to suit your garden and your budget.

• For Small lawns, a hand scarifier is perfectly equiped to remove moss and thatch or is ideal for light scarifying in spring.
• We recommend an electric scarifier for lawns up to 400m². You can adjust working depth for a consistent treatment. The metal blades of a scarifier spin round, pulling out the loose material entangled in the grass. Simple and cost effective.
• If your lawn is much over 400m² you’ll need a petrol scarifier. Only a petrol scarifier is able to cut through the thatch without excessive damage.

When is the best time to scarify the lawn?

You need good growing conditions and if your lawn doesn’t grow well before scarifying then it won’t grow well afterwards. The best time is between April and September.

How to scarify?

• You need dry grass for raking or scarifying.
• So, you have to mow your garden over a week or two before hand. 2-4 cm is the perfect high for a lawn.
• Before scarifying you’ll have to rake out the dead moss.
• You should adjust the working depth of your electric scarifier to between 2mm and 4mm.
• It is beneficial to change direction for the second run. So perpendicular or at right a right angle to the first run.
• Now you have to rake out the remaining moss and thatch.
• The lawn may look very bad once this has been removed but don’t worry the grass will soon spread. You can add some more grass seed at the end of the process, a great idea if your lawn has bald areas.
• Get some fertiliser into the lawn.
  Notice:  Don't apply before seeding!
• Important information:
  • The blades should just touch the ground. Otherwise they could cause too much damage.
  • Do not scarify a newly laid lawn, because the grass roots would not as yet taken hold.