Over a period of time lawns can become choked with thatch, preventing your lawn from growing healthily. This can result in lawns looking pale and patchy and thin in areas. A lawn Scarification will help to remove thatch from your lawn.
Scarifying the lawn is the practice of removing a layer of thatch that lays on the surface of the soil and if left to build up, can lead to a spongy lawn. This thatch will also stop nutrients from reaching the root zone of the grass plant. It is recommended that a lawn is scarified (de thatched) at the start of spring and in Autumn.
If your lawn isn’t scarified on a regular basis, the excessive thatch, which is a layer of dead and decaying organic matter will lay on top of your lawn’s root zone. Whilst a moderate level of thatch of half an inch or less, can be beneficial, too much thatch can have a detrimental effect on the grass plant by reducing the availability of moisture and nutrients to the root zone. The resulting effect is weak growth, leading to a poor quality lawn.
Scarification is carried out by using a powerful mechanical scarifier, which drives a series of sharp blades just into the thatch layer of the lawn, removing the thatch. As well as removing thatch, scarification also provides an element of Aeration, improving drainage and disease tolerance and will also reduce any sponginess if present in the lawn. After your lawn has been scarified, any thatch will be moved to the surface of the lawn. It can then be raked out and bagged for disposal or composting.
Choosing the correct time to scarify your lawn is important. The process should only be carried out when grass is actively growing in Spring or Autumn, which allows the lawn time to recover from what can be a stressful process.
Scarification provides a great opportunity to invigorate your lawn. New grass seed can then be added into your lawn after Scarification, which will promote quicker recovery and thicken your lawn.
To ensure that you are mowing your lawn correctly please refer to our guide lawn mowing tips and keep up to date with lawn tips by viewing the RHS website.
If you would like to discuss how Scarification can improve your lawn, why not take advantage of the Lawnscience lawn review service? One of our fully trained, lawn care professionals will be happy to arrange a free lawn review with you, during which they will identify the issue(s) and provide you with a fully costed solution for you to consider. To take advantage of this opportunity just contact.
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