October 10, 2024, 10:49 am | Read time: 5 minutes
The garden lawn is put under a lot of strain over the summer. Drought is just one factor that stresses the grass. Brown and dry patches are often the result. Does it make sense to scarify the lawn again in the fall?
Sowing, mowing, watering, and fertilizing the lawn is often not enough. Scarifying is also a critical maintenance measure to keep the lawn healthy in the long term. This is usually carried out in spring. Experts recommend scarifying the lawn at least once a year but no more than twice. Dr. Harald Nonn, Chairman of the German Lawn Society (Deutsche Rasengesellschaft e.V.), explains to myHOMEBOOK whether it is worth scarifying the lawn in autumn and what you should bear in mind.
Scarifying – what is it actually?
“Scarifying is intended to remove thatch, dead plants, or moss,” explains lawn professional Dr. Nonn. Otherwise, a lawn does not need to be scarified. “Scarifying is not soil cultivation, but a shallow cutting of the lawn thatch to a maximum depth of two to three millimeters,” adds Nonn. This maintenance measure aims to aerate the soil so that the roots get oxygen and growth is stimulated—the result: a dense, green lawn.
Important: Before you use the scarifier for the first time, the lawn should be at least three years old. These machines can be rented from DIY stores or garden centers.
Should the lawn be scarified in the fall?
As a rule, lawns are scarified in spring, either in March or April, at the start of the growing season. The grass then has enough time to grow back and recover. As a general rule, you should not scarify in summer and winter. But what about in the fall?
Generally speaking, there is little to be said against it – if you pay attention to a few conditions. If the lawn is very matted after the summer, you can give it more air with the scarifier. However, you shouldn’t wait too long to do this. “If scarifying is really still necessary in the fall, then there should be at least six weeks of vegetation time afterward,” explains lawn professional Nonn. “Otherwise, any gaps that develop will no longer close. As a result, moss and algae will grow into the open areas over the winter,” warns the expert. Scarifying, “which is quite a massive intervention in the turf,” should still be possible until the end of September.
How should the lawn be maintained afterward?
As scarifying puts a lot of strain on the lawn, it needs some care afterward in order to continue growing well again. In any case, it is recommended that some fertilizer be applied afterward. However, this measure is particularly relevant in the fall. Dr. Nonn recommends potassium-based autumn fertilization, “with which the grasses are optimally prepared for the cold season.”
What alternatives are there?
In general, you should check in advance whether scarifying is necessary at all. This is the case if a lot of lawn thatch has formed. However, there are also other ways to tackle thatch:
Raking instead of scarifying
For smaller areas, you can also try to remove thatch from the lawn with a rake. This should have long, rigid tines. However, this activity is quite strenuous, which is why you should use a scarifier for larger lawns. If the lawn is already very matted, a rake will not usually get you very far.
Aerating instead of scarifying
Aerating is not really an alternative, but it can also prevent thatch. Oxygen is supplied to the roots of the grass blades. Special nail shoes can be used to drill holes in the turf. Alternatively, an aerating fork is also suitable here.
Harrowing instead of scarifying
In the professional sector, lawn professional Dr. Nonn mentions another alternative to scarifying —repeated harrowing. “The vibrating harrow tines work dead or shallow-rooted plants upwards, where they can be picked up,” explains Nonn. Lawn aerators can achieve a similar effect on domestic lawns.”
By the way, in addition to motorized scarifiers, there are also hand-operated devices. These are a more sustainable alternative for smaller areas that require neither petrol nor electricity.
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General tips for scarifying
Garden owners should consider the following tips to avoid putting too much strain on the lawn:
- The lawn should not be longer than three centimeters before scarifying. Otherwise, mow to the appropriate length.
- Ideally, the lawn should be as dry as possible before scarifying.
- Before scarifying, you should check that the blades are sharp. Rough cuts can damage the lawn and impair regrowth.
- It is sufficient if the blades score the ground slightly, about two or three millimeters. If the blades penetrate deeper into the soil, they will damage the roots of the grass.
- Working the area lengthwise and crosswise is advisable to create a checkerboard pattern.
- Do not stay in one place for too long to avoid putting unnecessary strain on the lawn.
- Do not leave the lawn thatch on the surface as a mulch layer; remove it.
- After scarifying, fertilizer is a good idea to help the grass recover. You should also water the lawn well.