Lawn scarifier

PatrickO

PatrickO

Suspended / Banned
Messages
2,808
Name
Patrick
Edit My Images
Yes
In the past I've never taken much notice of our lawns. Just mowed now and then and been aware that it's green (ish)

As I'm now over 50 I understand that the I'm required by law to be interested in gardening and lawns, so have decided to renovate our lawns. When I look closely it's about 60% grass and 40% weeds, moss and unidentified "stuff"

So, my question is about scarifying. I've tried an electric lawn rake with tines and it just seems to rip the grass while not really removing much thatch/moss.

Anyone tried a proper scarifier with blades? Do they work? How much do I need to spend to get a good one.
 
The cheapest best buy at Which is this one, but they've only tested 10 altogether.

MacAllister 1400W 2-in-1 Rake and Scarifier
£100
Test scores: 77% (scarifier) 62% (raker)

The MacAllister 1400W 2-in-1 Rake and Scarifier is, as the name suggests, another dual-purpose machine.
The scarifier attachment is very effective and removes a lot of moss and thatch. The raker attachment is less effective, but still better than most of the dedicated lawn rakers we tested.
The MacAllister's 1400W motor provides plenty of power. It has a width of 37cm, so covers the ground quickly and smoothly.
The two handle heights should suit most users. The cutting-height adjuster requires a knack to operate.
The collector doesn't hold as much material as the Al-Ko and is also tricky to refit.
The MacAllister weighs 11kg and has a 15m power cable.
Available from B&Q only.
 
Peter B said:
The cheapest best buy at Which is this one, but they've only tested 10 altogether.

MacAllister 1400W 2-in-1 Rake and Scarifier
£100
Test scores: 77% (scarifier) 62% (raker)

The MacAllister 1400W 2-in-1 Rake and Scarifier is, as the name suggests, another dual-purpose machine.
The scarifier attachment is very effective and removes a lot of moss and thatch. The raker attachment is less effective, but still better than most of the dedicated lawn rakers we tested.
The MacAllister's 1400W motor provides plenty of power. It has a width of 37cm, so covers the ground quickly and smoothly.
The two handle heights should suit most users. The cutting-height adjuster requires a knack to operate.
The collector doesn't hold as much material as the Al-Ko and is also tricky to refit.
The MacAllister weighs 11kg and has a 15m power cable.
Available from B&Q only.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. Not a bad price. Mixed reviews on the B+Q website. Have you used it yourself?
 
You have been doing the right thing for years, why change now? Just nurture the 40% wildflowers and try to get rid of the 60% grass! You can oversow with dwarf clover for a start. No fertiliser and keep removing the clippings
 
Lawns? Want an essay? There is a relationship between the amount of effort you're prepared to put in and the end result. How good do you want it to be?

Easy answer...get Green Thumb or one of the clones and just let them do it.

Hard answer...do it yourself.

First as you've presumably never done much to it get it hollow tined. Sweep the cores away (Good compost) and optionally sweep lawn sand into the holes.

It's the time for autumn lawn dressing - promotes good root growth - so put that down.
Get some Verdone Lawn Weedkiller. Widely available. Mix it double strength and repeat in a fortnight.
No point in scarifying with a motor. Everything is wet so your lawn will be shredded. It's probably going to be too wet to scarify this year.
If it's bad then get a hand rake and sweat, sweat and more sweat.
Moss killer can go down now and/or in spring. Maxicrop combined Moss Killer and Lawn Tonic is super. Your lawn will go black with dead moss. This is when you make the big decision. If the lawn is nearly all black it's probably going to be simpler to returf. Don't believe what everyone will tell you - you can just put new turf down on top of the old stuff and it will grow as long as you water it, but that's something for next spring.

If you keep your exisitng lawn then that's about all you should be doing now apart from regular mowing. Don't use a flymo and don't ever leave the cuttings on the lawn. Next spring either rake it by hand again, or when the ground is firm then you can use a machine. If the moss is not too bad you can if you choose just ignore it - as long as you give a strong liquid feed once a month. The grass will drive the moss out. Don't ever mow it too short as that just encourages the moss. Keep on top of the weeds by spot weeding and this time next year you'll have an half way passable lawn.

You want a good lawn? It doesn't just happen. You will have to work on it, pay someone to do the work for you or just sit inside with a beer in your hand an accept that while it might be nice and green it won't be grass.
 
Tigger.ufo said:
BTW scarifying is an autumn job...
Click to expand...
Ooops :D

sphexx said:
You have been doing the right thing for years, why change now? Just nurture the 40% wildflowers and try to get rid of the 60% grass! You can oversow with dwarf clover for a start. No fertiliser and keep removing the clippings
Click to expand...
That sounds like a plan to me also :)
 
mickledore said:
No point in scarifying with a motor. Everything is wet so your lawn will be shredded. It's probably going to be too wet to scarify this year.
Click to expand...
Even despite the last day and a half of rain (here) the ground is still rock solid.
mickledore said:
. Don't believe what everyone will tell you - you can just put new turf down on top of the old stuff and it will grow as long as you water it, but that's something for next spring.
.
Click to expand...
straight on top with no preparation?

Some very interesting tips there :thumbs:
 
sphexx said:
You have been doing the right thing for years, why change now? Just nurture the 40% wildflowers and try to get rid of the 60% grass! You can oversow with dwarf clover for a start. No fertiliser and keep removing the clippings
Click to expand...

If it was 40% wild flowers I might even consider that. However, it's not. Any way I've decided I want a nice grass lawn. :)
 
Last edited:
straight on top with no preparation?

(The quote buttons have gone in the "upgrade")

Yep, done it many times. I'm working on a lawn at present where we've done just that. Obviously it's better if you strip it all off with a turf lifter, then get a skip to carry it all away. Then go over the soil and fork it all to a fine tilth, then tread it all down to expel any air pockets, then rake it all smooth. But are we talking about Wembley Stadium or someone's back lawn? Do you know how much turf on back lawn weighs? You can use a trolley to roll the new stuff to where you want it. The old stuff comes up piecemeal and all has to be lifted and carried. A truly awful job.

You can spend a lot of effort and time and cash, but you can also do it the easy way. The results won't be noticeably different.
 
mickledore said:


(The quote buttons have gone in the "upgrade")
Click to expand...
They should still be there bottom right, /quote /multi quote/ share.
Thats on a PC, if its an app issue, drop a post into the thread in forum discussion :)

mickledore said:
You can spend a lot of effort and time and cash, but you can also do it the easy way. The results won't be noticeably different.
Click to expand...
Cool Thanks :thumbs:
 
PatrickO said:
Thanks for that. Not a bad price. Mixed reviews on the B+Q website. Have you used it yourself?
Click to expand...

No, I've got an old Qualcast one that doesn't do a great job, but as long as it keeeps going then it never gets replaced. :rolleyes:
 
Ahh the English and their lawns. A phenomenon I've never understood.

Rip it up and get a project car! :o
 
I bought a Bosch AVR 1100 Verticutter Lawnraker (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0030BERK0), very nice piece of kit and cheaper in the long run than paying greenthumb £70/year. Works very well with an adjustable height setting so you can scarify in the autumn and just make racing stripes during the rest of the year raking up grass
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top