Are you struggling with a mossy and matted lawn? Then fix the problem with a scarifier. The beginner quickly internalized how it works. However, the question remains as to how deeply the lawn should be scarified for an optimal result. This guide explains the correct depth to which you can set a scarifier.
How deep should you set when scarifying?
When scarifying, the working depth should initially be set to 2 mm. If the scarifier catches little thatch, the depth can be increased to 3 to 4 mm. A maximum of 5 mm is recommended for heavily mossy lawns.
Test run at the highest level prevents lawn damage - this is how it works
Dethatching is a balancing act between perfect care effect and destruction of the turf. To ensure that the knife roller only combs out moss and weeds, it must not be set too low. If you choose the setting too high, the thatch stays in place. To ensure that the noble grasses of the lawn are not affected, the following procedure has proven successful:
- First mow the green area at the lowest setting
- Set the scarifier to a working height of 2 mm
- Dethatch a section of the lawn with this cutting depth
- Turn off the scarifier, sweep away the clippings and check the result
If the scarifying roller has caught little or no lawn thatch, regulate the working depth to 3 to 4 mm. The maximum depth of 5 mm is only recommended if you are struggling with a completely mossy lawn. Work the matted lawn lengthwise and crosswise to achieve an optimal result.
The scarifier doesn't reach the corners - what to do?
Motorized scarifying devices cause headaches for gardeners because they do not completely comb out thatch in corners and along the edges. In this case, a manual scarifier (€46.00 on Amazon) should be ready to hand. Moss and weeds can be easily removed by hand from hidden niches that are inaccessible to electric and petrol scarifiers.
You decide individually how deep you scarify the lawn manually. The higher the pressure exerted on the hand scarifier, the more moss and weeds get stuck in the blades.
Tip
All efforts to achieve the perfect working depth are wasted if you scarify your lawn immediately after a rain shower. The rotating knife roller transforms the soggy ground into a muddy desert in which even the robust roots of lawn grass lose all grip. At least 2 dry days should precede any scarifying.
