scarifying

GreeBo · 13-04-2020 11:36pm

secman wrote: »

Cut the grass on Friday and collected approx 1.25 bin loads of grass. Scarified on Sat and with the ride on at same setting collected 8 bin loads of thatch. Ready for a feed and weed dressing now but can't get any with the lockdown. Need 3 sacks of it.

I'm the same but it's seed I need for overseeding

jtown · 14-04-2020 8:58pm

jtown wrote: »

Ordered mine Monday on Amazon so hopefully will have it next few weeks.... Something to keep me busy for a few days
:D

Got it and straight out to the front lawn - Was at it 1h 30 mins and have a skip bag full already! Amazing how much stuff comes up!!

When finished should I spray with iron sulphate and then reseed?

Zzippy · 14-04-2020 9:11pm

secman wrote: »

Cut the grass on Friday and collected approx 1.25 bin loads of grass. Scarified on Sat and with the ride on at same setting collected 8 bin loads of thatch. Ready for a feed and weed dressing now but can't get any with the lockdown. Need 3 sacks of it.

GreeBo wrote: »

I'm the same but it's seed I need for overseeding

Try local garden centres - they are closed but many are taking online/phone orders for delivery. I got both last week from a local garden centre here in Galway.

GreeBo · 15-04-2020 9:42am

jtown wrote: »

Got it and straight out to the front lawn - Was at it 1h 30 mins and have a skip bag full already! Amazing how much stuff comes up!!

When finished should I spray with iron sulphate and then reseed?

Do you have any moss left? If you have heavily dethatched then you shouldnt really have any moss.

How bare is the lawn now? If its pretty thin you will need to think about top dressing before you sow any seed to give the seed something to grow in (and stay moist)
You could apply a light fertilizer when you sow, but anything too strong will kill the new seedlings.

I'd probably just wait and apply a feed+weed in a month or so, when the new seeds are more established and you can see if you have a weed/moss problem.

jtown · 15-04-2020 9:51am

GreeBo wrote: »

Do you have any moss left? If you have heavily dethatched then you shouldnt really have any moss.

How bare is the lawn now? If its pretty thin you will need to think about top dressing before you sow any seed to give the seed something to grow in (and stay moist)
You could apply a light fertilizer when you sow, but anything too strong will kill the new seedlings.

I'd probably just wait and apply a feed+weed in a month or so, when the new seeds are more established and you can see if you have a weed/moss problem.

Yes bits and pieces left - was just going to kill the remainder...
Might top dress first alright - and sow new seeds and wait a month or so...

Good call

jtown · 15-04-2020 9:59am

Some pictures of my little project...

Before:
https://imgur.com/kJgnwar
https://imgur.com/OFbAyiT
https://imgur.com/8VK5E63
https://imgur.com/YzcJ05k

During
https://imgur.com/uMX48lD
https://imgur.com/OZ9VKaN
https://imgur.com/02KWDYu

After.......

Grats · 15-04-2020 11:49am

jtown wrote: »

Some pictures of my little project...

Before:
https://imgur.com/kJgnwar
https://imgur.com/OFbAyiT
https://imgur.com/8VK5E63
https://imgur.com/YzcJ05k

During
https://imgur.com/uMX48lD
https://imgur.com/OZ9VKaN
https://imgur.com/02KWDYu

After.......

Hard work done. The "after" will be the easiest but.

How did the scarifier behave? Would you recommend it? Where did you purchase!?

jtown · 15-04-2020 12:00pm

Grats wrote: »

Hard work done. The "after" will be the easiest but.

How did the scarifier behave? Would you recommend it? Where did you purchase!?

scarifier bought on Amazon - probably too small for my large lawn but does the job for the money - its a powerful for the money - will know in a few days if worth it - I can be working away - Managed the get lawn seed this morning so happy days

Grats · 15-04-2020 12:03pm

jtown wrote: »

scarifier bought on Amazon - probably too small for my large lawn but does the job for the money - its a powerful for the money - will know in a few days if worth it - I can be working away - Managed the get lawn seed this morning so happy days

Many thanks for reply. Sounds good to me. I had intended hiring one, like I did previously, but virus ended that. Perfect weather for scarifying. What model is it? I'm very interested in buying one. Any problem getting it delivered?

jtown · 15-04-2020 12:06pm

Grats wrote: »

Many thanks for reply. Sounds good to me. I had intended hiring one, like I did previously, but virus ended that. Perfect weather for scarifying. What model is it? I'm very interested in buying one. Any problem getting it delivered?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00170NWP2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ordered the 6th and arrived yesterday - Depending on how big your lawn is, I was advised to rent one but again the virus put a stop to that also. Will take longer to get it done but sure have more time to be doing the few jobs.

Grats · 15-04-2020 1:42pm

jtown wrote: »

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00170NWP2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ordered the 6th and arrived yesterday - Depending on how big your lawn is, I was advised to rent one but again the virus put a stop to that also. Will take longer to get it done but sure have more time to be doing the few jobs.

Thanks again, much appreciated.

jtown · 15-04-2020 1:43pm

Grats wrote: »

Thanks again, much appreciated.

No worries - Ive filled 4 skip bags already - :eek::eek::eek:

Naos · 15-04-2020 2:00pm

jtown wrote: »

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00170NWP2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ordered the 6th and arrived yesterday - Depending on how big your lawn is, I was advised to rent one but again the virus put a stop to that also. Will take longer to get it done but sure have more time to be doing the few jobs.

What size is your garden? Planning to buy something similar, tried with a normal leaf wire rake and it took a long, long time to just do a few square meters...

Grats · 15-04-2020 2:22pm

Naos wrote: »

What size is your garden? Planning to buy something similar, tried with a normal leaf wire rake and it took a long, long time to just do a few square meters...

I know the feeling, blisters etc!!!

Naos · 15-04-2020 2:25pm

Grats wrote: »

I know the feeling, blisters etc!!!

Honestly, I was at it for a good 4-5 hours... must have done about 5m x 8m and it's still got a lot of thatch.

What size is your garden Grats? I'm trying to buy one of these https://www.landscapedepot.ie/product/true-temper-15-thatching-rake/

So it's a tossup now between that and an electric one.. I want to decide in next hour or two as have an order on hold.

jtown · 15-04-2020 2:38pm

Naos wrote: »

What size is your garden? Planning to buy something similar, tried with a normal leaf wire rake and it took a long, long time to just do a few square meters...

750 square yards - will take a few days :rolleyes::rolleyes:

celt262 · 15-04-2020 2:48pm

jtown wrote: »

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00170NWP2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ordered the 6th and arrived yesterday - Depending on how big your lawn is, I was advised to rent one but again the virus put a stop to that also. Will take longer to get it done but sure have more time to be doing the few jobs.

What size lawn have you i have a big lawn and its in bad way with thatch.

jtown · 15-04-2020 2:54pm

celt262 wrote: »

What size lawn have you i have a big lawn and its in bad way with thatch.

750 square yards - ideally petrol one would have been better but sure the weather is nice for it

Grats · 15-04-2020 3:18pm

Naos wrote: »

Honestly, I was at it for a good 4-5 hours... must have done about 5m x 8m and it's still got a lot of thatch.

What size is your garden Grats? I'm trying to buy one of these https://www.landscapedepot.ie/product/true-temper-15-thatching-rake/

So it's a tossup now between that and an electric one.. I want to decide in next hour or two as have an order on hold.

850sqm. I bought this a few years ago and it is decent enough but still a lot of work!
https://www.thegardenshop.ie/lawn-scarifier/

Naos · 15-04-2020 3:40pm

Grats wrote: »

850sqm. I bought this a few years ago and it is decent enough but still a lot of work!
https://www.thegardenshop.ie/lawn-scarifier/

Cool, I'm 250sqm so the hand thatcher might be okay!

GreeBo · 15-04-2020 4:17pm

I bought https://www.ebay.ie/itm/230V-ELECTRIC-LAWN-SCARIFIER-AERATOR-36-CM-1500W-3IN1-45L-SCHEPPACH-SC36/132457995139?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649 and am very happy with it.
Comes with power rake and scarifier blades, 4 height adjustments.
My garden is 300sqm and it minced through the thatch with the blade.

The rake took out piles of moss beforehand, but the blade took out an unmerciful amount of thatch.

GreeBo · 15-04-2020 6:23pm

jtown wrote: »

No worries - Ive filled 4 skip bags already - :eek::eek::eek:

Make sure you are compressing them down, moss/thatch compresses really well.

jtown · 15-04-2020 6:28pm

GreeBo wrote: »

Make sure you are compressing them down, moss/thatch compresses really well.

Found a nice local farmer who will take it so happy days!!

Daisy 55 · 16-04-2020 11:00am

Scarified late March. Starting to grow now. About 1/4 of acre. Aldi scarifier/rake. Only used the scarifier blade

jtown · 16-04-2020 1:24pm

Grats wrote: »

Hard work done. The "after" will be the easiest but.

How did the scarifier behave? Would you recommend it? Where did you purchase!?

At a little crossroads - looking for advise...

Today's lawn after scrarifing -

https://imgur.com/YJKRfLH
https://imgur.com/Bu1RS6P
https://imgur.com/yM95QVG

Should I spray with Iron Sulphate as there is still some moss left or just overseed and wait a few weeks

Advice please

;)

Daisy 55 · 16-04-2020 1:59pm

Our lawn was like yours. I didn't add iron sulphate. There is still some moss in ours in places. Will adjust the height of the rake tines in another week of so to give it a light rake again to get the last bit of moss. Adding iron to it will do it no harm. Don't get it near concrete or tarmac

daheff · 16-04-2020 2:17pm

jtown wrote: »

Should I spray with Iron Sulphate as there is still some moss left or just overseed and wait a few weeks

Advice please ;)

I don't think theres any point overseeding and then scarifying in a couple of weeks. all you'll do is take up the new seedlings.

I'd spray with iron ..give it 2 weeks and scarify again. then overseed....maybe top dress is a little with compost/topsoil before overseeding.

other than that it'll be grand in about a month.

Grats · 16-04-2020 3:07pm

jtown wrote: »

At a little crossroads - looking for advise...

Today's lawn after scrarifing -

https://imgur.com/YJKRfLH
https://imgur.com/Bu1RS6P
https://imgur.com/yM95QVG

Should I spray with Iron Sulphate as there is still some moss left or just overseed and wait a few weeks

Advice please ;)

I'd let the grass recover for a few weeks and then tackle the moss. Don't overseed until the moss is dealt with. If there are areas without moss you could overseed now, especially with the rain forecast.

Zardoz · 16-04-2020 4:02pm

Is it important to get the iron sulphate on as soon as possible after scarifying ?
When you scarify it can cause the moss to get scattered in the wind ,will it multiply ?

BullBauld · 16-04-2020 5:53pm

Got this lad off the brother in law. I have approx 1200 sqm though. Not sure it'll be up to it. Think I'll wait till hire shops are open again and get a petrol one.

BullBauld · 16-04-2020 5:55pm

Got a Black & Decker electric lawn rake off the brother in law. I have approx 1200 sqm though. Not sure it'll be up to it. Think I'll wait till hire shops are open again and get a petrol one.

Zardoz · 16-04-2020 6:23pm

BullBauld wrote: »

Got this lad off the brother in law. I have approx 1200 sqm though. Not sure it'll be up to it. Think I'll wait till hire shops are open again and get a petrol one.

The actual scarifying doesnt take that long .
Its collecting up the bloody crap it extracts that is most time consuming.
I've 800 sqm done ,I staggered it over 3 days .
I will finish the last 250 sqm tomorrow,will be glad to see the back of it .

GreeBo · 16-04-2020 6:58pm

If its your first time doing them lawn then you are going to have bushels of stuff.

if you do it every year (or spring and autumn ideally) then you wont have an issue.

Also if you are using a proper mulching mower or collecting the grass it will again be much less of an issue.

Other than not having a cable (which is a factor!) a petrol one wont be any faster than an electric one, but will be significantly more expensive.

With 1200sqm I'd probably hire petrol the first time (as you will be doing 4-5 passes) and then just use my own electric to keep on top of it.

GreeBo · 16-04-2020 7:00pm

Zardoz wrote: »

Is it important to get the iron sulphate on as soon as possible after scarifying ?
When you scarify it can cause the moss to get scattered in the wind ,will it multiply ?

Unless your garden has serious shade or drainage problems, you wont be seeing new moss growing until late autumn/early winter.

I personally have never used iron sulphate, just a combination autumn feed.

If you have scarified then you really shouldnt have any moss left, unless you gave up too early!

BullBauld · 16-04-2020 7:39pm

Zardoz wrote: »

The actual scarifying doesnt take that long .
Its collecting up the bloody crap it extracts that is most time consuming.
I've 800 sqm done ,I staggered it over 3 days .
I will finish the last 250 sqm tomorrow,will be glad to see the back of it .

Well I ran it for 10 minutes and got feck all done. It was also getting clogged/stuck as it's so bad. Just think (maybe wrongly) that the petrol one would handle it better as Greebo mentioned.

Grats · 16-04-2020 7:42pm

GreeBo wrote: »

If its your first time doing them lawn then you are going to have bushels of stuff.

if you do it every year (or spring and autumn ideally) then you wont have an issue.

Also if you are using a proper mulching mower or collecting the grass it will again be much less of an issue.

Other than not having a cable (which is a factor!) a petrol one wont be any faster than an electric one, but will be significantly more expensive.

With 1200sqm I'd probably hire petrol the first time (as you will be doing 4-5 passes) and then just use my own electric to keep on top of it.

What model scarifier do you use?

Zardoz · 16-04-2020 7:56pm

GreeBo wrote: »

Unless your garden has serious shade or drainage problems, you wont be seeing new moss growing until late autumn/early winter.

I personally have never used iron sulphate, just a combination autumn feed.

If you have scarified then you really shouldnt have any moss left, unless you gave up too early!

Thanks, thats good to know.

I scarify every year but I didn't use a high enough dosage of Iron Sulphate last year so the spores spread and the moss seemed to take over in late September.
It will be getting soaked with it next week .

The grass in my lawn seems to be prone to creeping so it probably produces more crap that a finer grass.

I have half a bag of Xtend 24-4-4 in the garage and half a bag of 7-6-17 fertiliser so I will have to make do with them ,as I'm unlikely to pick up anything else .

If you have scarified then you really shouldnt have any moss left, unless you gave up too early!

I did 2 passes ,3 where the moss was bad.
I could probably have done another 3 in some places and not gotten all the moss out ,but I dont have the time .

Citizenpain · 16-04-2020 9:31pm

BullBauld wrote: »

Well I ran it for 10 minutes and got feck all done. It was also getting clogged/stuck as it's so bad. Just think (maybe wrongly) that the petrol one would handle it better as Greebo mentioned.

I have the ALDI one too and a half acre site. I had to tie up the flap at back as it was clogging so much . Wore wellies and heavy trousers to shield from flying pebbles. Did it for the first time last year. Really can not face it this year,

secman · 16-04-2020 11:03pm

Citizenpain wrote: »

I have the ALDI one too and a half acre site. I had to tie up the flap at back as it was clogging so much . Wore wellies and heavy trousers to shield from flying pebbles. Did it for the first time last year. Really can not face it this year,

I too have a Lidle or Aldi one, they work grand once the flap is held open . Wellies are a must though

.
A ride on is just deadly for collection of the thatch, i filled the bin 8 times last week:).

Zardoz · 19-04-2020 2:11pm

Thinking of applying the iron sulphate today ,its raining lightly ,grass is wet enough .
It says wet and cool conditions for spraying are best ,is it ok to do today or should I wait for a dry day ?

damienf1 · 20-04-2020 8:12am

I've done bit of scarifying at the weekend. Put on some peat moss to fill in so gaps and then added grass seed with bit mo bacter moss remover as added measure. Was thinking use some lime to help the process and germinate the seeds would this be ok? Also by walking on grass would this have any effect on grass seed if i was to do this? Thanks

Mollyb60 · 20-04-2020 4:37pm

Absolute noob here in relation to gardening. My back garden is about 80sqm and has terrible drainage in the middle. It basically turns into a swamp during the winter and as a result the centre of my lawn is mostly moss with only some grass. I've read this thread with great interest.
Has anyone any recommendations on where to even start? Obviously I can't go hire a scarifier at the moment and can't really visit any of the garden centres. I might have to wait till June to think about tackling it but is that too late? What other things would I need? Grass seed/Miraclegro? Would I need to keep my cats away from the lawn while I was treating it with any of this stuff (iron sulphate, fertiliser etc)? Really appreciate any advice.

Photos of lawn attached.

shanec1928 · 20-04-2020 5:17pm

Mollyb60 wrote: »

Absolute noob here in relation to gardening. My back garden is about 80sqm and has terrible drainage in the middle. It basically turns into a swamp during the winter and as a result the centre of my lawn is mostly moss with only some grass. I've read this thread with great interest.
Has anyone any recommendations on where to even start? Obviously I can't go hire a scarifier at the moment and can't really visit any of the garden centres. I might have to wait till June to think about tackling it but is that too late? What other things would I need? Grass seed/Miraclegro? Would I need to keep my cats away from the lawn while I was treating it with any of this stuff (iron sulphate, fertiliser etc)? Really appreciate any advice.

Photos of lawn attached.

get the drainage issues sorted first.

Nigzcurran · 20-04-2020 5:29pm

damienf1 wrote: »

I've done bit of scarifying at the weekend. Put on some peat moss to fill in so gaps and then added grass seed with bit mo bacter moss remover as added measure. Was thinking use some lime to help the process and germinate the seeds would this be ok? Also by walking on grass would this have any effect on grass seed if i was to do this? Thanks

New grass seed needs to walked in to the ground if you have no roller to do so

Mollyb60 · 20-04-2020 5:38pm

shanec1928 wrote: »

get the drainage issues sorted first.

A landscaper here quoted me almost 2k to install a drainage system in the garden. I like grass, but not that much! I don't have that kind of money.

blackbox · 20-04-2020 5:40pm

Mollyb60 wrote: »

A landscaper here quoted me almost 2k to install a drainage system in the garden. I like grass, but not that much! I don't have that kind of money.

DIY?

Mollyb60 · 20-04-2020 5:42pm

blackbox wrote: »

DIY?

I can barely keep a houseplant alive and despise mowing the lawn. I'm not gonna start digging up my garden to install some fancy drainage thing! I tried to lay a path around the garden shed and it nearly killed me. :pac:

shanec1928 · 20-04-2020 7:33pm

Mollyb60 wrote: »

A landscaper here quoted me almost 2k to install a drainage system in the garden. I like grass, but not that much! I don't have that kind of money.

Look up a french drain. Pretty simple, if your not going to sort the drainage, you will keep getting moss back if ya don’t sort the drainage.

GreeBo · 20-04-2020 8:36pm

I'd leave fertilizing until 4 weeks or so after seeding, you don't want to stress the little buggers until they have rooted well.

The sun and healthy grass will take care of any remaining moss.

When doing your first major scarification take the collector off and prop the flap open a bit with some bungee cords.
Clear up the thatch/moss before you do the next run and do it 45 degrees from the first run.
It's better to set your machine high to begin with and with 5 your way down

GreeBo · 20-04-2020 8:42pm

shanec1928 wrote: »

Look up a french drain. Pretty simple, if your not going to sort the drainage, you will keep getting moss back if ya don’t sort the drainage.

For simple DIY drainage just take up a half metre square of sod with a shovel. Then dig down another half metre and fill it with gravel. Cover with weed fabric then an inch of topsoil and put the sod back on.

YouTube soakaway for more info.

scarifying

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