Scarifier Tips

Preparations

• Weeds and moss must be killed at least a month beforehand, and the lawn mowed around three days before scarification to get rid of debris and excess grass growth. A second round of mowing precedes scarification on the day itself to reduce moisture and grass volume, making the whole process easier. Next comes aeration with a garden fork, using it to poke holes poked into the lawn about every four inches. The best time for scarification begins at the middle or end of spring, all the way up to the end of October, ideally on dry days with minimal dew.

Specific Targets

• Aside from getting rid of dry patches of grass, scarification also helps in seedbed preparation. For these specific goals, different types of blades need to be put in the scarifier. De-thatching requires spring-type tines, which have much the same effect as a rake, while vertical cutting and seedbed preparation requires more solid blades. Spring-type tines, just like rakes, remove thatch without affecting the soil surface too much. Most scarification tasks have this as the main goal.

First Pass

• The best place to begin scarification is at the lawn's edge, with the scarifier going around the perimeter twice. This provides a space for turning after each pass and makes debris cleanup much easier afterwards. The passes must be done in straight lines and from end to end, with the blades lifted clear off the ground during each turn. While cleanup can be put off until after the second pass, a clear-as-you-go approach still works best, especially in unpredictable weather. Debris removal is best done using a leaf blower, a plastic rake or a yard broom going in the direction of the last pass.

Second Pass

• The second pass follows, this time with the rake or scarifier moving diagonally relative to the first pass, but still in straight lines. Each pass leaves grooves or stripes in the turf, so making this as neat as possible is key. Again, cleanup must be done in the same direction as the last pass so as not to miss any debris. As much as possible, the debris must be completely dry for easier cleanup.