How to Scarify Your Lawn
Scarifying a lawn is the process of raking the soil vigorously with specialized tools. The process digs into the top layer of soil and removes some of the built up thatch layer, which is comprised of decomposed organic matter. In addition, scarifying is useful in regions where moss growth occurs, as it removes the moss from the lawn. The advantage of scarification is that it allows air and light to access the grass roots, which promotes a healthier lawn. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Mow the lawn with a mower. Set the blade height to 1 inch.
-
2
Rent a vertical knife scarifier machine at a home improvement store or heavy equipment rental location.
-
-
3
Place the scarifier at the edge of the lawn and set the blade depth to 1/2 inch.
-
4
Turn the scarifier on and move it slowly along the lawn in a straight line. When you reach the end of the lawn, raise the blades up, turn the scarifer around and then lower them back into the ground. Walk in another straight line directly beside the first row. Continue this method until you have covered the entire lawn.
-
5
Move the scarifier to a location that is perpendicular to the the first set of rows. Set the blade depth to 1 inch and lower the blades into the ground. Move the scarifier over the entire area of lawn in rows just as you did the first time.
-
6
Rake the entire lawn with a rake to remove all of the thatch, moss and dead grass that was removed by the scarifier. Place the organic matter into a compost pile or discard it in the trash.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If you have a very small lawn, you can use a spring tine rake to scarify it manually.
It is normal for the scarifier to pull up approximately 25 percent of the green grass as well as the dead organic matter.
The best time to scarify a lawn is in very early spring or early autumn.
References
- Photo Credit lawn image by Sergey from Fotolia.com
