Scarifying lawns ?

what are you scarifying your lawn with? I use a spring tine rake which you can be more delicate and particular with I find.

I havent done the procedure yet so am still considering what to use. I have a spring tine rake and am happy to do it with that if its up to the job ? The lawn in question is not huge so Im happy to do it by hand with the rake if it will do the job..

Thanks all for the replies !

 

This is the type of scarifier I use . It has blades which slit the soil and remove the thatch. There is another type which has lots of tines , this is normally described as a lawnraker.
I bought mine second hand from Ebay

 

Crikey.... That sure looks like it does a serious bit of work Harry.

 

It is a bit intimidating when you first use one Capney , you feel like you are ploughing the lawn to plant spuds ! But the lawn soon perks up after scarifying and the removal of the thatch really improves its appearance . I would probably do this every two years or so .

 

Mmmm . I could get some one to do the job but I like learning how to do these things myself.. Plus let's not forget the brownie points ?

 

I am getting lawn envy looking at these pictures, but how do you go about lawn maintenance when you have frogs, toads, newts, dogs, and lots of other wildlife? (Should I start a separate thread?)

 

Sian , frogs, toads, newts, dogs, are far better than a nice lawn . Our back lawn looks like we have been under a mortar attack , with Molly's holes in it !

 

Thanks for setting me straight, Harry! Of course, you are correct

When tidying up around the patio yesterday, i had to find another "cover" when I moved a dead clay plant pot, as there was a toad living in a scrape underneath it, watching me with one black beady eye...

 

Make sure the scarifier does not dig in too deep. There should be an adjuster.

 

Hi Falcon , I have nearly finished preparing my small front lawn to your procedure above . I will apply the final feed this weekend and mow one week later . The lawn is looking really good now, best its looked in April The back lawn is a couple of weeks behind this but is till looking good !

 

What is the best treatment before scarifying? I have used branded and wilko weed and feeds with moss killer but they never seem to get rid of the moss, kill the dandylions and nothing ive used kills the chickweed which is a big problem in the village looking at others lawns.
What should I be using?
Ive tried pulling the chickweed but as I struggle to get all the roots it just returns to goad me.
Needs to be relatively safe for cats and kids.
Thanks
D

 

Thomas elliott sulphate of iron or sometimes its called ferrous sulphate

 

Perhaps you need to weed kill and feed separately exlabman. Verdone or Verdone Extra is good for lawns but I'm not sure how child and animal friendly it is. I use it particularly for dandelions.