Scarifying and Aerating the Lawn in Autumn | Step-by-Step Guide

The end of summer is the perfect time to take care of your lawn, which is often weakened and thinned after the hot months. Lawn scarification and aeration carried out in August or September are the most important regeneration treatments that will prepare your turf for winter and ensure that it looks spectacular next season. Find out how to perform them correctly.

Why August and September is the best time to regenerate your lawn?

After a busy summer season, the lawn often struggles with many problems. High temperatures, heavy use and frequent mowing lead to:

• The formation of a thick layer of felt (compacted remains of grass and moss),

• The appearance of moss and persistent weeds,

• Thinning and yellowing of turf,

• Shallowing of the root system of the grass.

Carry out lawn regeneration at the end of summer, when the soil is still warm and the humidity is rising, creating ideal conditions for the growth of new, strong roots and stems. This will help the grass strengthen before the first frosts arrive.

Lawn scarification - your weapon in the fight against felts

Scarification is a maintenance treatment that involves vertically cutting the turf with special blades of a scarifier. Its main purpose is to remove felt, a layer of dead plant parts that blocks air, water and nutrients from reaching the roots of the grass.

Key benefits of scarification:

• Effective removal of moss and felt,

• Better access of water, oxygen and fertilizers to the roots,

• Stimulate the grass to grow vigorously,

• Reducing the development of fungal diseases.

Aeration, or a deep breath for the roots

Lawn aeration, or aeration, is the process of deeply pricking the soil with spikes. This treatment loosens compacted and excessively trampled soil, which is crucial for the health of the root system.

What you gain from aeration?

• Improve soil structure and permeability,

• More efficient penetration of water and fertilizers deep into the ground,

• Stimulate the development of a strong and deep root system,

• Increased lawn resistance to drought and disease.

Lawn scarification and aeration step by step

To get the best results from the treatments, perform them in the right order and in the right way.

Step 1: Prepare the lawn

1. Mowing: Shorten the grass very low, to a height of about 3-4 cm.

2. Watering: If the ground is dry, water the lawn a day or two before the treatments. The soil should be slightly moist, but not wet.

3. Purification: Remove any branches, stones or leaves from the turf.

Step 2: Proper scarification

1. Equipment selection: For a small lawn a manual scarifier will suffice, for larger areas an electric or petrol model will be indispensable.

2. Work in two directions: Conduct scarification first along the lawn and then across it (crosswise). This will ensure that the felt is thoroughly removed.

3. Raking: When finished, very carefully rake all removed debris from the turf. There will be a surprisingly large number of them!

Step 3: Effective aeration

1. Equipment: You can use a hand aerator (such as spiked shoe covers), a spiked roller, or a mechanical device.

2. Depth: Puncture the soil to a depth of 8-10 cm. For very compacted soil, consider tube aeration, which pulls small plugs of soil out of the soil, creating more space for roots.

3. Sandblasting (optional): After aeration, it is a good idea to spread a thin layer of sand on the lawn. This will improve drainage and soil structure permanently.

What to do after scarifying and aerating? Essential regeneration!

The treatments themselves are only half the battle. Now the lawn needs support to recover quickly.

• Fall fertilization: Apply a special autumn fertilizer with low nitrogen and high potassium and phosphorus content. This will strengthen the roots and prepare the grass for cold temperatures.

• Grass reseeding: Replenish empty spaces and thinning with regenerative grass seeds.

• Regular watering: Keep the substrate moist for several weeks to provide the seeds with ideal conditions for germination.

The most common mistakes to avoid

1. Treatments during drought: Overdried grass is too weakened and may not survive such intensive care.

2. Scarifying too deeply: Cutting turf too deep can damage healthy grass roots.

3. Skipping fertilization and reseeding: Without these steps, the lawn will take much longer to regenerate and the end result will be weaker.

Summary

Autumn lawn scarification and aeration is an investment that will more than pay for itself in the form of beautiful, thick and healthy turf in the spring. By removing the felt, aerating the soil and strengthening the roots, you give your grass the best possible conditions to survive the winter. Spend one weekend in August or September and your lawn will be a garden ornament for another year.