When should you scarify your lawn and how long will it take to recover?
CARING for your lawn can sometimes seem like a lot of know-how.
So let's break down the subject of scarifying your grass.
When should you scarify your lawn?
The purpose of scarification is to remove thatch from lawns.
You can use a powered-machine or use a hand-held tool.
Scarifying depends on the condition of your turf and the desired result.
To ensure the best results possible you can aid the process by feeding your lawn afterwards for a strong recovery.
The perfect time for scarifying has specific weather conditions you must look out for – not too cold, too hot, nor too dry.
You must time your treatment accordingly as scarifying will leave your soil exposed and vulnerable to the growth of weeds and other unwanted seeds.
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While it is technically possible to scarify your lawn in the rain, it is not recommended.
Because your machine and tools will get very dirty and you probably won’t do as good of a job compared to when the grass is dry.
So it’s best to wait for the rain to pass and the lawn to try before you start scarifying.
How long will it take to recover after scarifying your lawn?
A scarified lawn can take anywhere between 4-6 weeks to recover from a scarification treatment fully.
There are treatments available that you can do afterwards to help your lawn recover quicker.
How often should a lawn be scarified?
For the best results, scarification should be carried out at least once or twice a year to help tidy up any straggly lateral growth.
Scarifying during the wrong time of year can make or break all the hard work you’ve put into your beautiful garden.
And by doing it offseason your lawn may either not recover at all, or you may be facing more problems.
So it is important to not only be prepared with the pre-treatment and the procedure itself but also to know when to have it done.
Although October is often considered the best month to scarify your lawn, it is in fact rather late.
Temperatures drop and green growth starts slowing down.
Avoid all winter months! The months from November to February are very cold and you may kill your grass completely if you attempt any sort of raking during that period.
March is similar to October, as the soil is still too cold.
Scarifying in the summer months of June, July and August are always too hot and too dry.
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Drought slows down grass recovery and any treatment that is too invasive as opening the soil will only leave it vulnerable to the heat.
For more The Sun gardening tips, have a look here.