Scarifying

Scarifying, dethatching or raking is the task of removing organic matter from the lawn by mechanical means, using either a powered machine or hand held implement. The organic matter or moss is removed by a series of vertical knife like blades or spring tines. These tines or blades slash into the sward at a pre-set depth and remove the organic matter (thatch and moss).
 

When the moss has been effectively controlled it needs removing by scarifying the lawn. Once the moss has been treated with our 4th treatment, it usually takes a few days for it to die.

There are two choices available for scarifying, these being a powered machine or a hand held implement such as a lawn rake. If you are scarifying a large lawn then a powered scarifier would be more practical and we can help, however on a small tight lawn a hand rake may be preferable, we can do this too. It is also worth noting that if there is a considerable quantity of moss to be removed a powered machine would be more effective.

Additional benefits of scarifying

Aside from moss removal, scarifying has many other benefits on the lawn and should be undertaken at least once a year. These additional benefits to the lawn include:

• Prevent and control the build up of thatch in the lawn - Over a period of time organic matter or thatch (dead shoots, leaves and stems) accumulates in the lawn. A small amount of thatch is desirable, however too much will be detrimental to the health of the lawn. By removing thatch, scarification helps keep the thatch layer at an acceptable level.


• Creates a seed bed prior to overseeding - Scarifying the lawn prior to overseeding has the added benefit of helping the seed penetrate into the sward enabling the seed to comes into contact with the soil. This helps with both germination and establishment of the new seedlings