Many people are frightened when they read this word. It is not a horror story but an activity that, if done correctly, will bring life to the grass in your garden. Scarifying consists of removing the moss or any dead organic material (also known as the thatch layer) that may be affecting the natural growth of your grass. When all this material accumulates on your grass, it prevents the soil from oxygenating and therefore the roots of your grass suffocate. Through scarifying you can open ventilation channels on the surface of the grass and get oxygen to the roots. It is a very simple process that can be done with a rake or using a scarifying machine. It doesn’t take much time and is very beneficial to your garden.
When is the best time to do it?
Grass is a delicate element of your garden. During scarifying, your grass will be under stress that can cause damage. However, there are ways to greatly reduce this. The general rule of thumb is to check the soil temperature and humidity. Remember that air temperature is different from soil temperature. Use a soil thermometer to make sure that the temperature is above 10 °C. During scarifying make sure the grass is slightly moist. This will give it flexibility and will better resist the use of rake. The best months are from March to May and from the end of August to October. The best time to do it is right at dawn or late afternoon, when the humidity and temperature are most appropriate.
Does scarifying make my lawn healthy?
Month after month, our lawn generates a layer of thatch or moss on its surface. This layer prevents water, light, oxygen and nutrients from entering the soil, which can cause serious damage to your lawn. Scarifying your lawn removes this layer and keeps your lawn green and healthy. Every lawn is different. Some generate more thatch or moss than others. As a general rule of thumb, if this layer approaches or exceeds 2 centimeters, you will need to do some scarifying every year. Remember, the trick is to do it at the right temperature and humidity to reduce the stress on the lawn as much as possible. If you have dogs or cats, you will know that it is important to groom them to keep their fur shiny and beautiful. It is the same principle but applied to the lawn of our garden. Keep your lawn green and shiny. Take a look at moowy.co.uk!