Lawn Scarification
What is Lawn Scarification?
Scarification of your lawn or grassed area is the mechanical removal of thatch and moss from a lawn, usually by a machine with vertical cutting blades. Thatch is a layer of dead and decaying matter which occurs naturally throughout the year. If left too long, the layer can build up to a depth that means a barrier is formed between the soil and air. This chokes the grass plant and significantly reduces the amount of air, water and nutrients that can pass through the layer to the grass roots. This weakens the grass, allowing moss and weeds to start to take over.
Benefits of Scarifying
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Reduces surface thatch from your lawn
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Reduces moss build-up
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Allows essential nutrients, water and air to reach the grass roots
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Creates a healthy lawn, improves grass growth and recovery and reduces the risks of lawn diseases
The Process
The Scarifying process starts with us taking a couple of core samples from your lawn to establish how deep the thatch layer is. Moss is a surface dwelling plant, so this is checked by eye to see how prevalent it is. The core samples gives us an indication as to how deep we need to cut into the thatch layer to get the best results. Each lawn is different so is treated on it's own merit. We will then mechanically scarify the lawn by slicing through the moss and thatch to the depth we have deemed is most benefical. The waste is brought to the surface and then collected and disposed of.
You can't remove all of the thatch in one go as the lawn would be left too bare and weak. It may take a few years to get the thatch levels under control if they are particularly deep.
Remember - thatch is completely natural and a small, thin layer is beneficial to the soil biology.
For more information on how we can help your lawn contact us today