Dethatcher

Under Scarification is the process scoring the turf a lawn to remove mulch (old cut ) and moss and to promote the aeration of the soil. The English term is originally from the words vertical (vertical, perpendicular ) and assembled to cut ( cut ).

The process was designed in 1955 by Thomas Mascaro, who invented in 1946 the Related scarifying aeration. The devices can be considered in the Mascaro - Stony Turfgrass Museum Penn State University (USA).

A Vertikutiergang is recommended in the spring between mid-April and early May, as the grass after this time is very capable of regeneration. Before scarifying the lawn should be mowed, and after scarifying is usually a fertilizer recommended. The soil should be scratched, but not the roots are removed entirely. In lückiger sward where appropriate, a reseeding is useful. In very rainy summers can ( end of August to September) a second time to scarify the lawn in late summer, then something less intense.

The associated device is the garden scarifier. It intersects with a rotating steel blade spring or springs vertically into the ground. The aerated material ( moss, dead grass, etc. ) is stored behind the unit or collected in the collection bag. It is driven shaft usually by an electric motor, with larger models with a gasoline engine. For small gardens also Handvertikutierer without motor and cable offer.

The cutting depth can be adjusted either through the height of the wheel or the change of the blade shaft. The depth of cut should not be more than 2 to 3 mm. Which is sufficient to remove the felt layer. Even with a scarifying rake engzahnigen is possible, but what is quite tedious for larger areas. If you have the opportunity to use a scarifier, the result is in any case better and more evenly.

However, there are large differences in quality of aerators. In the test of Stiftung Warentest in March 2012, only a third unit received the mark of " Good ", four of the fifteen tested devices were given an "adequate ", two even a " Poor ". Some scarifier went in the test quickly broken, clogged or damaged the lawn.

Combed out moss is very good moisture retention as mulch for vegetable beds or as an addition to a loosening themselves balcony mixed potting soil.

Pictures

Broken lawn after scarifying

Broken lawn after scarifying, fertilising and re- seeding