Not every lawn needs to be scarified. Care measures such as sanding or fertilizing are often enough to remove thatch. The lawn should only be scarified electronically if there is a thick layer of felt. Late spring or autumn is suitable for this. If scarifying is accompanied by other care measures such as fertilizing and liming, time intervals must be observed, as using fertilizer and lime at the same time damages the lawn. After scarifying, reseeding should also be carried out, as electric scarifiers can create holes in the lawn.
How is lawn scarified?
Annual scarifying of the lawn is only recommended if there is a sufficiently dense layer of weeds and thatch. The individual cuts with the scarifier blades improve the aeration of the lawn. For quick regeneration, we recommend processing in spring or autumn. Subsequent care of the area is also recommended.
Does lawns need to be scarified?
No, not every lawn needs to be scarified. However, regular cultivation of the lawn is recommended depending on the initial situation. Depending on the nature of the soil and basic care, the growth potential of the lawn decreases over time. In return, unwanted weeds and mosses increase. These in turn deprive the lawn of air and nutrients. The result: the lawn gradually withers away. Scarifying addresses exactly this problem area. Improved ventilation creates new space for the lawn.
A thin layer of felt protects the upper soil layer from drying out
The ideal time for scarifying can be determined with a simple test. To do this, a metal rake is pulled over the lawn without applying any pressure. If moss and other components stick to the tines, the area should be scarified.
Excursus
Moss as an important part of nature
Moss not only filters dust from the air, it stores water and also serves as a natural air conditioning system in summer. Even with a scarifier you have no chance against moss because it will always grow back. If you don't want to scarify every year, you should become friends with the garden resident in the long term. (Source: GEO)
How a scarifier works
Before using a scarifier, the cross-section of the lawn often has a very unkempt structure. Moss, weeds and matted areas inhibit the growth of the lawn.
Bottom view of a scarifier
The scarifier, whether manually or electrically operated, has several sharp blades on the underside. Thesescorethe turf lengthwise three to five millimeters deep. The more unkempt the lawn is, the deeper the cut should be. However, since the grass roots extend much deeper than, for example, the moss roots, the lawn roots are not injured. Due to the rounded shape at the end of the blade, the cut material is captured even in small quantities. To achieve the best possible effect, the surface should then be thoroughly scraped off again with a rake. After two to three months at the latest, the lawn should show signs of recovery thanks to the improved air, water and nutrient supply.
Times and frequency
Lawn can be scarified inspringorautumn. It is advisable not to scarify the areas in question more often thanonce a year. In addition, general weather conditions should be moderate. Extreme heat and dryness as well as cold and wet conditions further deplete the lawn. Scarifying should therefore be avoided in summer and winter. The mild periods in spring and autumn are more suitable. For best results, the soil should also be dry. If the ground is too moist, there is a risk that the curved blades will tear up he althy blades of grass.
Verticutting takes place in spring or autumn
Dethatching in spring
The ideal time for scarifying in spring is the monthsAprilandMay The growing conditions are with daytime temperatures between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius already optimal. In order to activate the lawn after winter, it is recommended to carry out starter fertilization afterwards. This usually contains a high nitrogen content. This supports general growth and also the rapid closing of the gaps that have arisen.
Tip
The flowering time of the daffodils also provides an indication of the right time to scarify. The onion plant is one of the late spring bloomers.
Dethatching in autumn
If the weather is moderate, scarification can also be carried out in autumn. In order to give the lawn enough time to regenerate, this should be done betweenbeginning of Septemberandmid-October. In these months the temperatures are usually still sufficient. However, it is particularly important to pay attention to the weather forecast during this time in order to protect the lawn from early frosts. Similar to the measure in spring, appropriate fertilization should also be carried out in autumn. The autumn fertilizers available commercially contain significantly less nitrogen than spring fertilizers, but they contain a higher proportion of magnesium. This mineral is particularly important for the cold resistance of plants.
Correct sequence: fertilizing, scarifying and liming
Care usually begins with scarifying in spring. This is followed byfertilization with a minimum interval of two weeks. Spring fertilizers in particular contain a high proportion of nitrogen, which serves as an activator after winter. Basically, nitrogen is one of the most basic nutrients for plant growth. Alternatively, spring fertilization can also be carried out before scarifying. In this case, you should also take a break of two weeks.
The application oflime should be carried out with a significant time delay. Many ingredients in commercial fertilizers react with lime to form undesirable by-products. This means that the originally desired effect is not achieved. An interval of at least two months makes sense, as many lawn fertilizers have a long-term effect. Ideally, liming is carried out in autumn to avoid side effects. We have summarized 10 helpful tips for liming in this article.
If you normally only scarify your lawn in autumn, you should do the liming in spring. The application of autumn fertilization can take place on two dates, analogous to the previous statements. Either two weeks before the planned scarifying or immediately afterwards.
Instructions: scarifying the lawn
Dethatching puts an enormous strain on the lawn. Most lawns are severely weakened by the previously poor supply of air, water and nutrients. Scarifying is intended to correct these deficiencies, but also requires new growth in the lawn. Therefore, do not scarify more often than once a year.
How to do it:
- Remove stones, roots and branches from the area
- Start fertilization at least two weeks before scarifying, alternatively fertilization after scarifying (after step 5)
- Mow existing lawn as short as possible (maximum height of three centimeters)
- Scarify the lawn lengthwise and crosswise (similar to a checkerboard pattern)
- Remove loose material (moss, thatch, weeds) with a rake
- Reseed vacancies with new seeds
- moisten the entire area evenly with a lawn sprinkler
- Lime fertilization at least two months apart (ideally staggered in spring and autumn)
Care after scarifying
Due to the high stress placed on the lawn by scarifying, subsequent care is essential. This includes fertilizing, sanding and aerating the lawn.
Fertilize the lawn
You should add new nutrients to your lawn at leastonce a year. Depending on use and location, it can also make sense to fertilize up to four times a year. The one-time fertilization only serves to maintain the lawn. It is therefore only recommended for rarely used and shady areas. Fertilization up to four times is recommended for heavily trafficked areas.
The commercially available fertilizers offer an ideal combination of active ingredients of the required nutrients. Alternatively, fertilization with coffee grounds or horn meal is also possible. However, it should be noted that the needs of grasses change throughout the year. While fertilizers containing nitrogen are particularly recommended in spring and summer, the lawn needs a lot of potassium in autumn for high frost tolerance.
Further information on how to properly fertilize your lawn can be found here.
Sanding the lawn
Sanding the lawn is particularly recommendedfor solid soils Too compacted soil promotes the growth of thatch, moss and weeds. Excessive thatch and weed formation is therefore a strong indicator of inadequate soil quality. Sprinkling sand ensures that the substrate is evenly loosened. At the same time, ventilation and water permeability are improved. In combination with fertilizing and scarifying, you create an optimal basis for dense lawn growth. Ideally, sanding should be done once a year in spring in the same way as scarifying.
Sanding the lawn is optional and not a must in lawn care
The sand chosen should be special lawn sand. This has a very fine grain and has already been cleaned of unwanted components. Depending on the type of lawn and soil conditions, different spreading amounts are possible. Therefore, pay close attention to the manufacturer's information on the packaging. As a rule of thumb, however, it is recommended to leave at least 0.5 to 0.8 centimeters of the tips of the grass exposed.
We have put together instructions on how to properly sand lawns in this article.
Aerating the lawn
Aerating is just as common a technique forimproving lawn growth as scarifying. In practice it is an increased form of scarifying. While the turf is only scratched when scarifying, furrows up to ten centimeters deep are made during aeration. However, this also increases the load on the turf. Intensive aftercare is therefore becoming increasingly important.
Aeration can be done manually with a rake or by machine
Similar to scarifying, the suitable time windows are inSpringandAutumn Both between March and April and from September to October Lawns are aerated. For moderately stressed areas, annual aeration is completely sufficient. For heavily compacted areas, more intensive treatment is recommended. This should also be carried out at two-month intervals in the summer. However, the regeneration of the area at this time of year takes significantly longer.
Further information about manual and mechanical ventilation can be found here.
Alternatives to scarifying
For hobby gardeners, there are various manual alternatives to mechanical scarifying. This includes the use of a metal rake and hand scarifier. Due to the lack of mechanical support, the turf is usually not worked on as intensively. These methods are still suitable for lawns that are only slightly matted, or as a second light treatment of the area in the same year. However, the basic process of scarifying remains the same with these procedures.
Metal rakes and hand scarifiers are an alternative to mechanical scarifying, but are only suitable for small vegetation
Compared to conventional rakes, the metal rake has significantly longer tines, which are also curved inwards. Raking the lawn evenly loosens dry parts of the turf. For an even result, it is recommended to rake lengthwise and crosswise. The loosened plant parts can then be disposed of. Thanks to the variable application options, the rake can also be used easily on slopes and in small areas.
The hand scarifier (€41.00 at Amazon) is constructed similarly to the machine version. In contrast to this, however, it does not have an engine and is operated exclusively with its own power. This variant is therefore particularly suitable for straight surfaces with few corners. The cutting depth can be determined by varying the pressure. You should not cut deeper than three to five millimeters.
You can find another treatment option for heavily mossy lawns here.
FAQ
How to scarify?
The lawn must be prepared before scarifying. The existing grass is shortened to a maximum height of three millimeters. For optimal results, it is also recommended to scarify lengthways and crossways. The area is covered in a checkerboard pattern to achieve complete removal of weeds, moss and thatch.
When does scarification take place?
Basically, both spring and autumn are suitable for scarifying. In practice, the period between April and May has proven to be effective. Compared to autumn, the lawn regenerates much more quickly as the growth phase begins. In principle, the lawn can also be scarified between September and October.
How does a scarifier work?
A scarifier has several knives on the underside that are used to score the turf. Depending on the setting, the incision is made at a depth of three to five millimeters. The individual cuts ensure better ventilation and water permeability. In addition, the curved shape of the blades removes dead material and unwanted weeds.
How do you know if you need to scarify?
A simple test shows you whether your lawn needs to be scarified. To do this, move a metal rake over the entire area without applying pressure. If moss or other material sticks to the tines, the time has come. Light tangles can also be removed with a hand rake.
How do you care for your lawn after scarifying?
In addition to fertilization, we recommend sanding the area and aerating it. During aeration, the turf is cut even deeper. This measure can significantly loosen up heavily compacted soils in particular. The additionally applied lawn sand fills the resulting cracks without clogging them.
