When is the best time to scarify by hand?
With regard to the choice of dates, there is no difference between motorized and manual scarifying. April and May are the best times to clear lawns, large and small, of moss and weeds. The ground temperature no longer falls below 8 degrees Celsius and it has not rained in the past two days.
also read
- Fighting weeds in the lawn - tips for correct scarifying
- Scarifying the lawn correctly - how deep should it be?
- Scarifying the lawn after rain - is that possible?
Scarifying Manually - How To Do It Right
Hand scarifiers do not work with rotating knife rollers like motorized types of machines. The construction is based on a series of rigid steel knives along an axis that is installed swinging between two wheels. Depending on the pressure exerted on the handle, the blades penetrate the sward to different depths in order to comb out thatch. How to scarify correctly by hand:
- 10 to 14 days before scarifying, mow the lawn to a height of 4 to 5 cm and fertilize
- At the appointment, mow the lawn to a height of 2 cm
- Pull the hand scarifier through the sward in lanes and in stages
- Put down in between and remove the clippings
- The thicker the moss, the higher the pressure
First scarify the lawn lengthways by hand. Then work the surface in the transverse direction so that a checkerboard pattern is created. Rake off combed out moss and weeds. In order to remove the last remnants from the lawn, please drive the lawnmower with the grass catcher over the green at the lowest level.
Re-sowing - the perfect finish for manual scarifying
Careful handling of the sward is advantageous for scarifying by hand. Although the lawn looks less disheveled than after motorized cultivation, bald spots can occur. The gaps close faster with overseeding. This is how it works:
- Sprinkle fresh seeds on bare spots or the entire scarified lawn
- Sieve thinly with humus or a mix of sand and garden soil
- Roll and irrigate for good soil contact of the seeds
Secure the combed and re-sown lawn against being stepped on for a few weeks. If it is dry, sprinkle the area early in the morning or late in the evening so that the seedlings do not come under drought stress.
Tips
You can sharpen hand scarifiers as well as motorized devices. It can be done easily and safely with a grinding file. The combination of sharpening stone and file has a practical handle so that you can sharpen the blades precisely. Alternatively, you can sharpen a hand scarifier using a drill (€ 79.87 on Amazon *) with a flex attachment.
