Keep your grass green - and make your neighbours green with envy - with this handy guide on when to scarify your lawn.
What is lawn scarifying?
Okay, first things first, just what exactly does “scarification” mean? At first glance it seem like something you would associate with horror movies, but luckily the real definition is far less sinister.
Scarifying a lawn – also known as de-thatching – is the process of removing thatch, moss, and other organic matter from a garden surface. This process tidies up any straggly growth that may have been preventing healthy grass growth. The word “scarify” is actually pronounced “skah-rify” – as opposed to “scare” (like Scary Movie) or “scar” (a la Scarface).
How to scarify a lawn
How do you scarify a lawn? Well, say hello to my little friend…the scarifier!
While that name could also very easily pass as a horror movie title, the scarifier is anything but horrifying. This handy tool uses rolling blades to trim and remove thatch, moss and debris, keeping your lawn looking lush and healthy.
Scarifiers typically come in two forms: manually operated and machine powered. Machine scarifiers come with either an electrical or petrol-powered motor and boast self-rotating blades. Meanwhile, the manual version features simple, push/pull operated rollers on the end of a long handle – imagine the bigger, more talented brother of the humble rake and you won’t be far off.
If you have any questions about the lawn scarification process, or are wondering it it's the right treatment for your lawn, reach out and contact our team here at Lawn & Weed Expert. Our highly-trained staff will talk you through the scarification process and explain it's benefits, and help you decide whether or not this is the right treatment for you and your lawn. We're always happy to help, so reach out today!
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When to scarify lawn surfaces
If your lawn has begun to possess a yellowy tinge, it could be time to break out the scarifier. After all, nobody wants a lawn that looks ill and on its last legs.
That being said, there are certain times of the year that are more suitable than others. Late spring and early autumn are considered to be the two best times to scarify your lawn, capitalising on both the weather and the conditions of the ground.
Most garden experts agree that the ideal time to scarify your lawn is when your grass is growing strongly. If you scarify at the wrong time of year when your grass isn’t growing as fast, you risk damaging your lawn severely.
Dusting off the scarifier too early can ruin your lawn, so be patient and don’t jump the gun – that lawn isn’t going anywhere. Similarly, if you miss your window and are tempted to scarify in the wintertime, do so at your peril. You could leave your lawn exposed to the cold weather making it more difficult for your grass to recover.
It’s also advisable to scarify your grass when it’s had a little rain and isn’t too dry. A lawn that’s moderately moist underneath but dry to the touch is ideal, making for the perfect time to unleash your inner horticultural handyman.
Finally, remember that scarifying can be an extremely stressful process for your lawn, so try to time it to coincide with good weather conditions to follow. Chances are that the grass is still going to need a few days to recover, so try to make the aftermath as comfortable as possible.
Top tips and advice for lawn scarification
While timing is everything when it comes to scarifying your garden, there are also a few handy hints and tips you can employ to help give your lawn a fighting chance of flourishing.
Mowing your lawn a week prior to scarifying can be a great way to prep your garden for its impending makeover. This will remove excess grass and dice up any thatch patches, making it easier to shift later on.
Similarly, you may also want to apply moss killer to your lawn a week or so before your scheduled scarify day. This will ensure the moss is dead and prevent it from spreading any further during the scarifying process.
For the best results, it’s also a good idea to water your grass a couple of days before lawn scarification, if the weather is fine. Alternatively, you could just hold off scarifying your lawn until a day or two after a bout of rainfall and save yourself a job.
Whatever you do, don’t scarify when it’s wet – you could end up yanking out the grass by the root, removing the grass itself as well as the thatch. If your lawn does seem a little bare post-scarification, you may want to scatter some additional grass seed. This can help create a thicker, greener lawn, while also helping to limit weed growth.
Lastly, remember to be patient. You may find that scarifying your lawn leaves your garden looking worse than when you started. Don’t panic and have faith – if you’ve timed it right and followed these top tips, your garden will grow back looking healthy and better than ever.
It's important to trust the process, and know that your garden won't look perfect right away. If you want to see some before and after pictures of the scarification process, click the link below to see a blog with some amazing before and after photos of the scarification process.
Before and After Scarification
Want to get the most out of your garden? Request a FREE lawn survey from Lawn & Weed Expert!
We hope this blog has given you some useful information about lawn scarification and its benefits! If you think that lawn scarification is something that will benefit your lawn, Lawn & Weed Expert have got you covered. We offer a highly professional service from trained professionals. Click the link below to find out a little more about our professional scarification services and how they can improve the health of your lawn.
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Read More: What's the Difference Between Scarifying, Raking, and Dethatching?
