SCARIFING THE LAWN 

WHY SHOULD I SCARIFY MY LAWN?

Scarifying refers to the process of using a tool to clear matted grass and moss from the surface of your lawn and lightly opening up the ground to add air and improve growth. Verticutting is similar, though it has less impact on the soil itself. Left alone, debris and dead matter in grass can form a matted layer of thatch that will prevent water from reaching the roots and eventually suffocate the lawn.

How does scarification work?

To scarify your lawn, you can use a scarifier that cuts vertically through the lawn and thatch, and shallowly scores the surface of the earth. You can achieve a similar effect using just a rake, but it is back-breaking work! We recommend scarifying tools with rotating blades that penetrate a few millimetres into the soil to remove moss, thatch and weeds. The process can make a bit of a mess of the grass at first, but it rejuvenates your lawn for the long term, making it easier for air, water and micronutrients to reach the roots.

THE BEST TIME TO SCARIFY

April and May are the best months as your lawn is growing strongly, but you can scarify between March and May, and in September, depending on the weather. You should ideally scarify your lawn twice a year, but not when the ground is cold – it should be at 10°C or more. Equally, if the weather gets too hot, it’s best to postpone scarifying to prevent the lawn from drying out.

Scarifying in spring

Spring is the best time of year to scarify a lawn. As soon as temperatures are consistently above 10°C and the grass is growing vigorously, the lawn should be strong enough to scarify – after it has been mown three or four times since the beginning of the year. Start your lawn care by scarifying, followed by the first fertilisation of the season to prepare your green space for the new gardening season. Aim to scarify your lawn in April or May because the soil recovers very quickly at that time of year.

When should I scarify my lawn for the first time? It usually takes three years before a freshly laid lawn achieves sufficient growth and hardiness for scarifying – any sooner, and there is a risk of damaging the young grass roots. You could scarify as early as the second year but only if your new lawn has grown particularly thickly.

Scarifying in autumn

Although scarification and aeration of your lawn will help control stubborn weeds and matted moss, it also puts stress on the soil. This is why any late-summer lawn scarifying should certainly be done with a lighter touch. Your lawn needs a chance to recover well so it can enter its winter dormancy with renewed strength.

When not to scarify

• Avoid scarifying your lawn at the height of summer or when it’s very hot.
• If it’s raining or the soil is very wet, wait for conditions to change before you scarify – sodden, heavy soil is not easy to work with and will not aerate as you want it to.

How often do I need to scarify my lawn? A strongly growing lawn with no matted thatch does not necessarily need to be scarified; simply raking through to dislodge any dead grass is enough. If you do have matting or moss growth in your grass, you should scarify your lawn twice a year at most.