Here's The Secret To Finding The Ideal Scarifying Depth For The Best Lawn Results

Healthy green lawns should have a simple, seamless look, but it sure isn't simple or seamless to keep them that way. Lawns require a surprising amount of upkeep, and each step requires the right technique to avoid damaging the grass. Scarification is one solution to a common lawn problem: an overgrowth of thatch, the dense layer of decomposing plant material that sits just under the surface. Excessive thatch can damage the roots of the lawn by blocking moisture and nutrients, as well as harboring insects and diseases. When thatch builds up, you'll need to decide if scarifying or dethatching is better for your lawn. For lawns with very thick thatch, scarifiers will allow you to rake more deeply into the ground, and they also remove moss growing within the soil. If you decide to scarify your lawn, you can roughly gauge the proper depth by feeling the grass under your feet, but for a more accurate measurement, examine a cross section cut of the lawn.

Finding the right scarification depth for your lawn is key; if you go too deep or shallow, the lawn may suffer. The more excessive the thatch is, the more deeply you need to scarify to begin revive the grass or aerate your lawn before fertilizing or reseeding. Scarifier machines provide various depth settings so you can achieve the right depth, but if you're scarifying by hand, you can simply be mindful about how deeply you rake. Here's how to find the right depth every time.

You can determine the amount of thatch under the surface in two ways. One method is to take a stroll on the lawn and see how it feels under your feet. Lawns with excessive thatch will feel spongey, while lawns with less thatch feel more firm. Neglected lawns, excessively fertilized lawns, or lawns that are compacted from heavy use are more likely to have thicker thatch. The blades of your tool should gently skim the top of the soil, so lawns with thicker thatch need deeper scarification. The second, more accurate method is to cut out a 2-inch-deep wedge from the lawn and measure the thatch with a ruler before adjusting the depth settings on your machine. 

It's generally safest to start scarifying at a depth of two to three millimeters, but if you notice a lot of thatch coming up and decide to go deeper, do so gradually, keeping in mind that about two passes of the scarifier in opposite directions is ideal. You should never go deeper than 9 millimeters, but some lawncare professionals are even more conservative, advising a maximum depth of just 4 millimeters. It's important to note that a thin layer of thatch doesn't pose a problem for your lawn and can even make it more tolerant to wear. If the thatch is thinner than half an inch or so, you may want skip the scarification for now. Scarifying too much, too deeply, or on grass types that may be damaged by excessive raking can harm the grass and leave you with a bald yard.