Scarification 

Scarification is a harsh and damaging process and even worse if not done regularly, however, is key to make your lawn the best it can be. This should be done twice a year, however, timing is key. Middle of spring and early autumn, when grass growth is strong would achieve the best results in the long term, as this gives any new seeded areas time to recover the quickest.

What is Scarification? 

Scarification or scarifying as it is also known as is a process that removes the dead matter. Dead matter is the leaves of the grass that have died back to allow new ones to grow. The dead blades of grass lay on top of the soil and act like a carpet or blanket, which restricts water and air to get into the soils profile to reach the roots.

You can also use scarification to remove moss off the lawn. Treatment of a moss killer would be needed after scarifying.

When you walk over your lawn and it’s quite spongy, this will be the layers of thatch that have developed over a period of time, also thatch holds on to moisture so you will notice that water will hold on the surface for longer and not drain as quickly.

Remember that thatch will restrict the amount of air, water and nutrients into the soil. 

Scarification also cuts through creeping stolons and rhizome roots, these roots grow horizontally and create more leaves as it grows along the surface of the soil (stolons) or within the soil (rhizome). As you cut through them while scarifying it helps to create a thicker dense sward as they grow back into two or more separate plants.

How to scarify?

There are different ways to scarify, a hand tool like a fan rake, electrical scarifier and a petrol self-propelled scarifier. The last being the best as you are able to adjust the depth of the blades.

By fan rake: you would use some force in different directions. its is very tiring and normally removes a lot of good grass as well. This is really slow and tiring.

By machine: you let the machine do all the work, just use it as you would a lawnmower but then do a 90-degree pass again to the previous line. You may need to stop before doing another pass to collect the debris.

Again petrol scarifiers are quite expenses although not as expensive as aerators.

Electric ones are reasonable but only recommend for light duties, as anything too hard will burn the motor out.

The depth which you will scarify will depend on how deep the thatch goes. It is best by removing little at a time so scarify at 90 degrees, then diagonal if your thatch is high.

As you can see from the pictures above, after the process of scarification on a poorly maintained lawn, it removes a lot of good grass as well, this is because the thatch build-up goes between the grassroots and removes the grass while removing the thatch.

If scarification is done regular basis the effects aren’t so bad like this picture shows.

We do offer scarification

Prices start from ….£50.00 

If you require any more information please feel free to contact us.