Scarifying lawns ?

Discussion in 'Lawns' started by Charlie996, Mar 22, 2015.

  1. Charlie996

    Charlie996 Gardener

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    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 !
     
  2. HarryS

    HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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    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

    content-panel-garden-scarifiers-bosch.jpg
    Brill 36VE Electric Scarifier Clever Technology.jpg
     
  3. capney

    capney Head Gardener

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

    HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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    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 .
     
  5. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    Why don't you get a quote from someone who advertises locally (local paper or shop window or even Google) that has a lawn maintenance franchise. There are usually quite a few around.

    For the size of lawn that you have it should be a reasonable price. Last year I had someone in to do one of my lawns that was thick with moss. He sprayed it with moss killer, came back again a couple of weeks later (to give the killer time to work) and used a petrol raker/scarifier to go over it and then raked by hand and took the rubbish away. He charged £35. I didn't bother to get him to put a feed on it as well but that would have been quite cheap.
     
  6. Charlie996

    Charlie996 Gardener

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    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 ? :biggrin:
     
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    • shiney

      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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      I get brownie points for just being able to get up each morning :old: :lunapic 130165696578242 5:
       
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      • Sian in Belgium

        Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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        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?)
         
      • HarryS

        HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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        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 ! :doggieshmooze:
         
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        • Sian in Belgium

          Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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

          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...:psnp:
           
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          • fa1con

            fa1con Apprentice Gardener

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

            HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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            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 :dbgrtmb: The back lawn is a couple of weeks behind this but is till looking good !
             
          • exlabman

            exlabman Gardener

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            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
             
          • fa1con

            fa1con Apprentice Gardener

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            Thomas elliott sulphate of iron or sometimes its called ferrous sulphate
             
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            • Sheal

              Sheal Total Gardener

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              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.
               
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