Scarifiers for Lawns and Lawn Care Advice for Those Annual Lawn Problems

Lawn Problems?

There are many lawn problems that the gardener can encounter, some more serious than others.

Grass is something that many of us take for granted, after all it grows well and looks healthy anywhere we have not planted it; in other words when it is a weed. But what you have to remember is that grass is a plant just like any other that you grow in your garden. It just so happens that this plant you walk all over and it is tough enough to let you do this. It may go brown in drought conditions and green up very quickly when the rain comes but it will look even better with a little assistance.

Thatch

Lawn care advice is quite an involved subject and in this article only one of the many possible lawn problems is being addressed, that problem is thatch.

So what exactly is thatch? Thatch is a layer of dead material and not necessarily grass cuttings that have escaped the collection box when mowing. Just like any other garden detritus. With healthy turf it is disposed of by fungi. However if new grass grows faster than the old decomposes thatch is formed. As this suggests, applying too much lawn fertilizer can do more harm than good. Like most things, a good balance is what you are looking for.

Moss

One of the related lawn problems is moss. Shaded north facing lawns are very susceptible to moss infestation. It can spread at an alarming rate if not treated before it flowers and spreads its spores.

You soon know that you are walking on a lawn with thatch or moss problems, or maybe both, by the soft spongy feel under your feet.

It is advisable to apply a lawn treatment to kill the moss before raking otherwise you run the risk of spreading the moss to other areas of your lawn.

Lawn Care Advice for Thatch and Moss Problems

If the weather was not suitable or you could not find the time in autumn to remove the thatch and moss then do the job in spring. However do not be tempted to rake the lawn too early in the year. It is very tempting to get out into the garden and begin raking when the lawn is, quite frankly, looking a mess after the winter months. The idea is to remove the rubbish that will hamper any new grass growth. So if you act too early in the season the grass will not be in growth and you are creating bare earth space and ideal conditions for weed seeds to germinate and thrive. Be patient and wait until the temperature is warming and your lawn fertilizer can do its job of encouraging new and healthy grass.

To rake out the thatch and moss you need a lawn scarifier but the question is which of the scarifiers for lawns on sale is the best one for your lawn size?

Spring Tined Lawn Rake

If you only have a very small lawn then a spring tined rake will do the job. Those of a certain age will remember that these were wire tined but today there are plastic tined alternatives. Using these types is good for developing good stomach muscles but can also be hard on the gardeners back.

Wheeled Push Scarifiers

The next level up is the wheeled push scarifiers. As the name suggests there are two wheels with a lawn rake in between and although muscle power is required they are a bit easier on the back.

Electric Lawn Scarifiers

The next level is the electric lawn scarifiers that can do an excellent job on the small to medium sized lawns. The only restriction is the need for a close at hand electrical supply and length of cable needed to cover the whole of your lawned area. Some have the additional advantage of being able to be converted into an aerator by changing the tines for blades.

Petrol Lawn Scarifiers

Petrol driven lawn scarifiers can be used for small lawns but perhaps are best suited to the medium to large lawns. These extend to the professional models that can be used for estate work and bowling greens etc. As might be expected, many of these petrol powered models also have the ability to be used as an aerator.

Lawn Mower Scarifiers

Lastly and not to be forgotten, there are electric and petrol driven lawn mowers that have an optional extra in the form of a lawn scarifier attachment.

Remember that scarifying is only one small part of preventing or resolving lawn problems. Lawn care advice extends to using the right lawn fertilizer for your grass in the right season, a lawn top dressing and lawn feed.

Scarifiers for lawns are not just available in different types, they also have quite a different price range. Take your time browsing and choosing the best one for your lawn and budget, it is one garden tool that could be with you for many years.

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