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Everything You Need To Know About Using A Lawn Scarifier

lawn Scarifier in action

What Is A Lawn Scarifier?

A lawn scarifier is a garden tool, also sometimes known as a ‘dethatcher’. Similar to a lawnmower, the machine is designed to be wheeled across the garden to cut through soil, which removes thatch (debris, grass cuttings, dead moss) with its steel blades. Scarifying is a great way to keep your lawn refreshed, allowing sunlight to reach your grass and help you to achieve a healthy and lush lawn.

When Should I Use A Lawn Scarifier?

The best way of knowing when to get out the lawn scarifier is when your grass starts to show signs of a yellow tinge, which usually means it’s time for a little refresh! You can also drag a metal rake through your grass and if mowing residues loosen, then this is another sure sign. 

Scarifying your lawn is not something that you want to be doing too frequently. Scarifying once or twice a year will be plenty for you to be able to see the benefits. When you do decide to use a scarifier, you’ll want to make sure the weather conditions are optimum to avoid causing damage to your lawn. 

The perfect season to scarify is either spring or early autumn where you can hopefully steer clear of snow, heavy rain, or drought. Spring or early autumn also means that your grass will have enough time to recover after it has been scarified. The ideal soil temperature to get this done is around eight degrees celsius.

How Do I Use A Lawn Scarifier?

So, you have recognised that your lawn wants a bit of a rework and the weather conditions are looking perfect, but how exactly do you go about using a lawn scarifier? The process leading up to scarifying should begin one to two weeks beforehand where you will want to remove any large weeds with a trowel or garden fork. You may also find it helpful to apply moss killer if this is a troubled area of the lawn. Another step you’ll also want to take a week beforehand is to mow the lawn. Do this on a low blade setting to get rid of excess grass.

Now for the fun and to begin scarifying. Make sure you remove any stones from the ground just before you begin, and you’ll be good to go. If you can use a lawnmower, then the actions of using a scarifier are not all too different. Go over the same lines as you made when you had previously mowed the lawn a week before and set your scarifier to a high setting. Go over the lawn a couple of times and repeat the process, slowly reducing the blade settings as you make a new pass.

Aftercare

Now that the scarifying is done, it is important to make sure you still take care of your lawn. Don’t panic when you see that the lawn may not look as pretty as you first expected. Overseeding is the next step to take, which is where you will need to scatter new grass seeds on your lawn, which will promote thicker grass growth. In the following weeks, it is important to start lawn recovery and apply a fertilizer that contains potassium. This will allow your grass to repair and protect against disease. 

Hire A Lawn scarifier With Us 

Now that you know how to use a Lawn Scarifier, the next step is getting to work, to inquire about our Lawn Scarifier hiring services please contact us on 02084 276604 or fill out our contact form.