Lawn aeration and scarification
Lawn aeration and scarification
For a perfectly manicured lawn, it is by no means enough to mow the grass every week.
Scarifying and aerating are also part of the hobby gardener’s chores at least once a year (ideally twice a year).
The blades of the devices prevent moss from spreading (it has a strong grip on the ground) and ensure adequate aeration of the lawn plants.
At the same time, they remove the plant debris and dirt accumulated between the blades of grass.
However, I would like to differentiate between aeration and scarification.
In general, the 2 notions are mixed although there are 2 different types of machines: those with elastic springs and those with knives.
Aeration is carried out as a lawn care work with the help of spring machines.
Lawn aeration and scarification
The springs act like a comb that brings to the surface the dirt and plant debris accumulated at the base of the lawn.
All these deposits have a negative effect on the health of the lawn.
First of all, they do not allow sunlight to penetrate to the base of the lawn, which over time leads to etiolation (white area in the stem) of the plant at the base.
The light does not reach the base of the plant and it takes on the white appearance of a dark-grown plant.
This area leads to easy tearing of the blade of grass when stepping on it.
Aeration work has a superficial effect on the soil but a major role in lawn health.
All the substances applied as treatments will reach the soil in small amounts if the lawn is pickled.
Water penetrates the soil with difficulty.
Let’scarification.
Lawn aeration and scarification
This type of work is carried out with machines equipped with knives and has the main role of intervention on the soil.
In fact this type of work combines the two.
The knives have the role of cutting small furrows in the soil at the same time as a deep cleaning of the soil.
These small ditches are used to collect water and allow it to penetrate easily into the soil.
Treatments (herbicides, fertilizers, especially granular fertilizers) work more quickly because they come into contact with the soil and the plant.
The “patch” of dirt in the lawn suspends practically all these substances,
with loss of money and time and last but not least lawn health.
I have seen and read so many articles and instructions in which these 2 notions are so mixed up that you have the impression that it is one and the same thing.
If aeration is synonymous with scarification why you customers when buying a scarifier ask: but do springs go on it?
If you look in the manuals of some serious “German” machines you will find a sign like the one in the picture which represents: aeration-scarification-collection.
All distinct !
Aeration and scarification of lawn
Lawn aeration and scarification
Remember, the important thing is that at least once a year (twice in spring and fall would be good) you do one of the two things.
Or even better both.
Why both?
Because if we do an aeration first (with springs) we remove the dirt from the lawn.
When we switch to scarifying the risk of pulling up dirt and healthy grass clippings decreases.