We’ve all heard it before. “It’s a good idea to scarify the lawn periodically to keep it healthy.” But what does that mean?
Scarifying is a process that is typically carried out using a lawn scarifier, but can also be done with a power tiller, heavy-duty rake, a lawn raker, or other similar garden tool and is used to break up and loosen compacted soil.
The Scarifying process loosens soil and improves air circulation so grass can grow better. It also removes dead moss and other debris like dead grass cuttings and helps prevent plants from dying from a lack of oxygen.
After lawn scarification, seeding grass becomes much easier because the ground becomes soft enough for grass seed to grow, producing healthy grass and a great looking lawn.
Many gardeners may say that scarifying doesn’t do anything for your lawn other than leaving marks from the blades. However, with a more robust root system, your lawn will be healthier and more resilient to insects, drought, and disease.
When Should I Scarify A Lawn
Scarifying is typically done when the ground has thawed enough for you to work without causing too much damage. But this is usually not necessary because most lawns are only about a foot deep, so there should be plenty of air space for roots to breathe and grow properly.
When to scarify your lawn. There are three main reasons for scarifying a lawn:
- If the lawn is too compacted from heavy foot traffic, the blades can’t move and will die. The only solution, in this case, is to remove and replace those blades with new ones.
- If the grass has been over-fertilised or over-watered, it may be too lush for its own good–remedies can involve cutting back on water, fertiliser, or both.
- If you have an established turfgrass problem like dollar spot or winter patch, you’ll want to use a fungicide that has been designed for that specific problem (e.g., “Fungo”).
Autumn is a good time to scarify your lawn as it will allow the grass to take in moisture and nutrients after a long summer season. Scarifying in winter will help prepare your lawn for winter when there is less moisture from rain or snow.
Does Scarifying Aerate The Lawn
Scarifying removes thatch from a lawn, which is not aeration. The most popular way to aerate a lawn is by using an aerator. Aerators go down into the soil and pull up plugs. This one step can take care of any thatch or compaction issues you may have on your lawn.
In the past, lawns were aerated by pushing a sharp metal rod into the ground to make holes. This process is now carried out with a machine that fires small metal plugs into the ground. Aerating helps to break up thatch and compaction on your lawn, which in turn promotes healthy root growth.
What Is The Difference Between Raking And Scarifying A Lawn
Raking is the process of removing dead leaves and other debris from the lawn. It is used for leaf collection and reduces thatch or build-up of old grass clippings on the lawn. Scarifying is a process of removing only thatch from the lawn.
Raking is also required for maintaining good drainage of water at the soil level. Healthy roots need to be able to take in water and release it back into the atmosphere. Too much can block water from going down into the soil and instead pooling up on top of it.
Lawn scarifying is done after raking, and it involves dragging a scarifier machine over the lawn with sharp blades to break up shallow roots, which can damage your lawn if they grow too long.
Neutralising Weeds and Roots From Your Lawn
Weeds and roots are a common issue for homeowners. Weeds and roots cannot be removed from your lawn by just pulling the plants. The roots need to be dug out of the ground. However, there are many ways in getting rid of weeds and roots from your lawn.
The roots of perennial plants are tough to get rid of, and they can grow deep into the soil.
A simple way to remove the perennial plants or weeds is to use a simple weed removal tool to manually push into the ground, under the weed’s root, and pop the root out.
Alternatively, you can use grass plant and weed killers, but this is time-consuming and can be expensive.
There is a way to neutralise weeds and roots without using any chemicals – mulch or straw. Mulching will cut off the air supply for weeds, while straw will suffocate them.
The downside to Mulching is that this method takes two months or more before it starts getting rid of weeds, and the weeds should be at least four inches high before they can are treated with mulch or straw.
Enjoy A Well Maintained Lawn With The Family
We all know that a well-maintained lawn is a beautiful thing. However, it can be hard to maintain without the right tools and equipment. With lawn care, you will need to invest in quality equipment and tools.
If you need any help creating and maintaining a beautiful lawn, contact us at Landscaping Milton Keynes.