How to scarify a lawn

What is scarifying a lawn?

Scarifying a lawn involves removing the brown dead-looking material from the base of the grass. This stuff is known as thatch and will seriously impair your lawn’s quality if left untreated.

Scarifying your lawn will also help to remove any moss that has developed. Moss is a real problem when you’re aiming for a bowling green standard lawn. But with a bit of scarification, it will soon be gone.

How to scarify a lawn

There are two ways to scarify your lawn. You can do it manually with a rake. Or you can use a specialist scarifying machine.

Let’s have a look at the process involved with both methods.

How to manually scarify a lawn

Scarifying your lawn with a rake is a simple process and can be done by any keen gardener. It is, however, hard physical work. If you aren’t in particularly good health, or you’re not quite sure how to get it right, it’s probably a good idea to employ a professional gardener.

To scarify your lawn with a rake, simply follow these three steps:

1. Prepare your lawn

A few weeks before you plan to scarify your lawn, apply a treatment of moss killer. This will ensure that you don’t spread moss spores over your lawn during scarification.

2. Cut your grass

Before scarifying begins, you will need to mow your lawn. Ideally, you should cut your grass quite short. If you can, set your mower’s blades to low (approx. 2cm) and ensure that you attach a box to collect all the grass clippings.

3. Start scarifying

Using a spring tine rake to avoid damage, start dragging the rake over your lawn to remove any excess moss and thatch. Go gently and be careful not to damage the grass itself or pull up the soil beneath.

You should also aim to leave a small amount of thatch in place. This helps to protect the grass and encourage future growth.

How to use a lawn scarifier

Scarifying your lawn with a rake is physically demanding. For smaller lawns, it might be the appropriate method, but for larger lawns, it might be best to use a specialist lawn scarifier.

Scarifiers are available in all sizes and powers. From simple hand push wheeled models to mid-range electrical machines right up to professional petrol-powered machines.

Whichever scarifier you use, the process is the same. Follow these steps for the best results.

1. Prepare the lawn

As above, treat the lawn with moss killer a few weeks before scarifying. Then cut the grass to approximately 2cm in height.

2. Start scarifying

Following the manufacturer’s instructions, scarify your lawn in one direction, working your way around the lawn.

Aim to lift around 1cm of loose thatch from your lawn. Once the first scarification is complete, use a rake or leaf blower to remove any loose debris from the lawn.

3. Change direction

Next, repeat the scarification process but from the opposite direction. Work at right angles from your first scarification. The thatch will now be looser and you will be able to lower the blades slightly to improve the process.

4. Repeat the process

Depending on the time of year you scarify your lawn, you may want to repeat the process for the best results.

Two passes will be enough in autumn. In spring you may wish to do three or four passes depending on the condition of your lawn.

When to scarify a lawn in the UK

The best time to scarify your lawn in the UK is a contentious subject. According to most gardening professionals, spring is the best time to scarify your lawn.

Scarifying in spring, however, will leave your lawn not looking its best for the summer season. Aerating it after scarifying can help.

This is done by simply pushing a garden fork into the ground and wiggling it back and forth. This will help to create a better movement of water and air through the soil to encourage growth.

Alternatively, you may prefer to scarify your lawn in early autumn. Aim to start in late September or early October well ahead of the first frost.

Scarifying at this time of year will give your lawn plenty of time to recover during its dormant period over the winter.

How often should you scarify a lawn?

How often you should scarify a lawn depends on when the lawn was laid and the condition of the lawn.

For newly turfed lawns and lawns that have been recently seeded, it’s important to let the lawn become established before scarifying.

Wait at least a year before scarifying a new lawn to avoid damaging the grass.

For more established lawns, you should aim to scarify the grass once a year or at least every two to three years for the best results.

If your lawn is in a particularly bad state with lots of moss and thatch, you may want to scarify your lawn in spring with three or four passes.

You can then repeat the process in early autumn with a light scarification. This will help your lawn to be repaired and be ready for the next scarification in the new year.