Thatch is a build up of dead organic matter laying on the soil surface and is a natural occurrence as old grass stems die and are replaced by new ones. Bacteria in the soil digest the thatch breaking it down into nutrients for other plants. In severe cases of heavy thatch the bacteria cannot digest all the organic matter and the thatch builds up and forms a fibrous layer on the soil surface. This layer acts like blotting paper preventing the flow of moisture, oxygen and nutrients getting down to the grass roots.
It is vital that thatch is not allowed to build up as it can have a disastrous effect on any lawn weakening the grass, encouraging moss and diseases. Scarifying is the physical process of removing thatch from the soil surface. It used to be carried out by using a wire rake. Pitch Perfect Lawns have powered machines which scarify far more comprehensively and are far more efficient than raking. Several vertical metal blades revolve at high speed around a shaft and dig into the ground as the machine is pushed along the lawn. The blades can be set at various heights from the surface and consequently take out various amounts of thatch . As well as removing thatch and dead moss the blades also prune the shoots of the grass plant encouraging stronger growth.
Scarifying is much more vigorous and effective than raking or using an electric lawn rake which tend not to go deep enough. Scarifying pulls the moss and thatch out of the lawn and in the short term makes the lawn look far worse before it recovers. It is important to schedule scarifying so that it is followed by the appropriate weather conditions that assist the lawn with its recovery. We never scarify in the Winter as no recovery occurs until the Spring. Normally we would apply moss control before or after scarifying to prevent Spores from spreading. Pitch Perfect Lawns can advise you if your lawn requires scarifying but most lawns benefit from scarifying at least every couple of years depending on the weather conditions.
Our Lawn Scarification Service covers Perth, Dundee, Fife and is a highly effective way of keeping your lawn healthy and in good condition.
With no contracts to sign our lawn treatment programmes start from as little as £24 per treatment.
