What is scarification?
Scarifying is raking out the moss and thatch that build up at the base of a lawn. We do it with a machine that has blades to cut into the surface and pull it all out.
What is thatch?
Thatch is a layer of dead and living stems, roots and leaves that sits between the grass and the soil. When it gets thick, the lawn feels spongy underfoot and stays wet for longer.
A thick layer also stops water getting down into the soil. Feed gets stuck in it, so the roots stay shallow. Shallow roots mean a lawn that struggles in dry weather and is slow to recover from wear. Moss, weeds and disease all like those conditions too.
Why scarify?
Taking the moss and thatch out lets air and water back into the soil. The grass thickens up and the lawn is easier to mow.
- Less moss
- Less thatch
- Water, feed and air get down to the roots
- Better drainage and less run-off
- A good seed bed if you’re overseeding afterwards
When should you do it?
Spring or autumn. Most lawns want it once a year. Lawns cut by a robot mower usually need it less often.
Can you do it yourself?
Yes. On a small lawn a rake will do it, but it’s hard going. For anything bigger you’ll want a machine. If you’re seeding or feeding, do it after the scarifying, not before.
We’ve a full guide on iGrow Carpet that walks you through it.
Read the scarifying guideWant us to do it?
We’d love to help everyone, but as a rule we only scarify lawns for clients on our treatment programme. For most of our lawns it’s part of the yearly maintenance, along with aeration.
See how our programme works
Scarifying and moss videos
Why you should never scarify your lawn twice a year
Filmed on the lawn in the photos above.
When, why and how to scarify your lawn (beginner’s guide)
The best way to get rid of moss from any lawn
Could your lawn be one we look after?
We only take on a small number of new lawns each year, focusing on areas where we can provide a reliable, ongoing service.
Start by checking your postcode. If you're in our service area, tell us a little about your lawn and we'll take it from there.
1. Check your postcode
Pop it into the checker to see if you are on our route.
2. Submit your lawn details
Fill in the short form so we can review your garden.
3. We'll be in touch
We'll look at your details and get in touch if your lawn and location are a good fit for our service.
iGrow Carpet
If we don't cover your area or we're fully booked, have a look at iGrow Carpet. It's Robbie's own range of lawn care products, for people looking after their own lawn, with a free learning hub, masterclasses and tools to go with it.