How and when should you scarify a lawn / Beginners guide

[@Premier_lawns_official]

If you enjoyed this video, SMASH the like button and Subscribe

[@iainhunneybell]

Well, following your other videos on scarifying, aeration, and seaweed and iron even on seed, I'm now in the middle of doing quite a large lawn area. I started with a cut. Then scarified which created huge volumes of grass 'cuttings'. I then 'hoovered' the lawn with the lawnmower to lift any remaining grass not collected by the Camon scarifier. I then aerated using hollow tines, resulting in something between The Somme and a municipal park where 10,000 dogs had visited and all decided to 'leave presents' 😲 Today I scarified again at about 40 degrees to the original pass ... which from this video sounds good. This was aimed less to collect a lot, but to help break up and spread the aeration plugs, which it did nicely. Next I need to over-seed and spread topsoil, then I plan to light scarify again, not to lift more, but to help agitate the grass and help the seed and topsoil penetrate to the ground. Then roll and spray with seaweed and iron. I also have an autumn feed (feed only, no 'weed' component) and I hope to see a thicker, greener lawn in the spring 🙂 Thanks for all your wonderfully helpful advice 👍 Hopefully I've got it about right 😲

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Sounds good, one thing.... If your in the UK your on the verge of the seed not growing. It might, it might not Be a good time to cover it with some fleece... amzn.to/3NEIH5K

[@davidgaunt3192]

Really excellent and very helpful video. I watched it and went and did my lawn straight away. it looks better already! I couldn't believe just how much moss and debris came off the lawn, Im going to weed and feed this morning. Thank you for posting this!

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Glad to help, make sure to subscribe to learn more 👍🙂

[@JackD87]

Just scarified and aerated (London) 😱😱 will be doing lots of watering!!

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Lots of water, you will be grand 😃

[@davel831]

As a 56 year old YTS I am still learning so much thanks Robbie! Perhaps one day I could clean the mower

[@Premier_lawns_official]

loooool 😂😂😂

[@Rob-Train]

Good to see Daniel has been released from your shed!

[@Premier_lawns_official]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@RonHenry]

Great video Robbie. Thanks for showing the process sir!

[@Premier_lawns_official]

No problem 👍

[@DigitalPaintCan]

I smashed that "Like" button...I'm already subscribed. Keep-up the good work...your videos are an absolute joy to watch! Canadian winters kill our lawns. Unfortunately, I have to scarify and seed in the spring.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Hahah thank you🙏🏻

[@TheMuddatrucker]

I scarified my lawn a month ago (half size of one in video) for the first time in 25 years, filled the green bin twice with the thatch and it was still coming!

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Do it again in the Autumn 🙂

[@TheMuddatrucker]

@@Premier_lawns_official oh I certainly will be because it’s made a noticeable difference! I live next to a park with roughly 23 million dandelions so I’ll never get a perfect lawn but I use one of those fiskar weed pullers to keep removing them, only takes half hour once a fortnight.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

@@TheMuddatrucker 👍👍

[@MachineryNation]

Great advice as always Robbie 🤩

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Ah, you guys have rebranded. I thought for a second there someone stole you logo, then I popped over to your channel

[@MachineryNation]

@@Premier_lawns_official hahaha, yeah we put up a vid the other day explaining why we have changed our name on KZbin. 🤩

[@Premier_lawns_official]

A bold move

[@MachineryNation]

@@Premier_lawns_official Indeed, certainly better to do it now before we get to big 😂😂

[@stephenk4834]

Great video Robbie. Thanks for all your help.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Happy to help 😁

[@Chattyman2]

Scarified a neighbors lawn a couple of days ago, they have never had it done in the 6 years they have lived there. Was honestly the most satisfying thing ever ha

[@MICHAEL-wg2lh]

Top vid once again fella cheers 👍

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Thanks and glad you found it helpful 😁

[@timmywoods5349]

Hello. I'm looking for some advice. Just bought a 2 in 1 scarifier and aerator so going to use it this week. My lawn is 3 years old and has never been scarified. What depth would you advise to scarify at below the surface - 3mm, 6mm, 9mm or 12mm? Many thanks in advance.

[@philh3041]

Great content thank you! I am just a weekend warrior but had a new lawn laid in Sept last year and it looks extremely thin now or is that just the time of year? Do you have any tips for thickening it up? Keep up the good work 👍🏻

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Hey Phil, here you go kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpPJqmppd8qJo68si=b7OtO_PFHXMIvO6T

[@philh3041]

@@Premier_lawns_official great thanks for the reply!

[@jamesbrace8543]

Cracking as always. So satisfying to watch too. I’ve shared your account on here and IG with so many recently who are all looking to get their lawns up to scratch.👏🏽

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@finnjohnson7022]

Outstanding advice as usual Robbie great video

[@Premier_lawns_official]

🙏🙏🙏

[@ronmccullock1407]

Superb video I notice you have bought some new machines

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Yes Ron, need to keep investing and moving forward

[@ronmccullock1407]

@@Premier_lawns_official what make is your mower

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Hi Ron, It's the milwaukee m18 battery lawn mower bit.ly/3DENa2s

[@Jordan.E]

Brilliant tips again Robbie 💯

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Thanks 👍 Glad you enjoyed it

[@colliegardenmaintenance2560]

Always look forward to your uploads Neil

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Thanks 🙏

[@ianlawlessthegreenkeeper952]

Brilliant Robbie, I've been doing the same thing all week 😎 1 lawn I did last week had never been treated before!!! and it was a big one!! The client was only ever able to cut with his mower on the highest height setting!!, I took 9 tonne bags off it🙈

[@christopherlane4583]

Hi rob liked and subscribed 😊 any recommendations for best grass seed to get? Down sunny south east Thanks I’m advance

[@Premier_lawns_official]

www.bostonseeds.com

[@AJ-ku7nm]

Power raking made/makes such a big difference to my lawn! And now we are finally getting a bit of rain in the south it’s starting to look so much better.

[@tagquasar8791]

I have alot of lawn waste after scarifying it, mostly soil, grass and moss. Can i use that in the rest of the garden in some way?

[@grahamgray8801]

Hi Robbie, thanks for your content- absolutely smashing! A quick question though: should we carry out all of the tasks mentioned in your "lawn care calendar" playlist as a good comprehensive care program? Or do we pick and choose according to needs, obviously there is no one size fits all...Unless u fancy a few wee jobs in Germany?😂 Again, thank u

[@banksy50]

Mo Bacter is a moss killer available in the UK. Doesn't burn (so no blackening) but kills moss through bacterial action. I found it works well but much more expensive than iron.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

I have tried it a few times with no success

[@banksy50]

With iron you can see it working within minutes while MB takes weeks to show any result. This might give an impression it's not working.

[@rorymakesstuff]

I got overly enthusiastic this year during the heat wave in March and did mine then, few days later temperatures were back down close to freezing. Think it killed all the seeds, still looks sparse and patchy in the worst areas.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Hi Rory, I think this video will help you kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKbPhnxqgbtmoKs

[@scottterry4590]

Thanks for the content 👍

[@Premier_lawns_official]

👍👍👍

[@richardsmith1161]

Good to see Young Daniel back

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Daniel is the main man 🙏🙂

[@tom7245]

WHAT ABOUT YE! Great videos guys 😉

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Thanks 👍 😊

[@ManasTilekar]

Thanks for this video and indeed is very useful, what solid feed do you recommend

[@Premier_lawns_official]

This time of year any good autumn feed 👍

[@susancollins4362]

Another great one Robbie. Thanks 😊 I’m in Perthshire Scotland and leaving mine until Autumn. We ve had the last 2 years getting drier and drier, with it predicted to get worse as the years go on. Our river is already low, so not going to chance scarifying now and couldn’t do it last month in case of frost. Can’t win 😩

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Sounds about right Susan, big variation on differetn parts of the UK

[@HootMaRoot]

One more tip that might be useful to some is it's a lot cheaper to buy a box/tub of iron sulphate compared to anything that is named as a moss killer

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Yes, linked in the video description

[@simonrussell1444]

Hi Robbie Great video and just subscribed My part time gardener scarified too late last year and now I have an infestation of moss everywhere. I’ve treated the moss this month but should I now wait until end March to scarify it out? And then treat again Thanks, Simon

[@garymorrison277]

Robbie, I'm currently trying out Richard Jackson 's moss remover which is suppose to break down the moss and it will act as a natural feed for your lawn. Time will tell.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Keep me posted how how that preforms please

[@garymorrison277]

@@Premier_lawns_official no problem Robbie I'll keep you posted but so far ( 2 weeks since it went down ) is greener but early days for the moss. I'm going to try a patch of moss which as no grass for a comparison but I'll definitely get back to you but I'll give it a few more weeks.

[@kieranthorburn8421]

Great video. But I still don’t feel like I learned more than I knew already because I am not confident to do it to my lawn without messing it up! Like how low does the lawn need to be ? How low do you set the scarifier etc

[@Premier_lawns_official]

I think this video will help you 🙂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmWWmqutjqZlodk

[@paulr7028]

Best to just get on with it and learn as you go using Robbies videos for reference. 😊 good luck

[@KB996]

Hi Kieran, I was like you until I watched Robbies videos. I started by mowing short at 30mm, then set my sacrifice at its shallower setting, it's an electric one made by Cobre, it has two interchangeable from, one with blades, the other with flailing tines, i used the blades one. I did the first pass and then a second st about 30 degrees to the first pass. Shifted a lot of thatch but blades did not leave the lines that the videos showed, so set it to the next setting and did two passes over the original ones. It looked fierce but found the trick was to keep the machine going slowly, this resulted in the lines showing clearly. Then I hand seeded at 35mg per square metre, lawn is approx 40 square metres, so not a big lawn. This was done 8 days back and I have shoots showing already. Today I added an Autumn fertilizer by hand. I guess what I am getting at is start at shallower setting and see how that goes, after all, you have to break eggs to make an omelette!! Hope it goes well👍 Kev

[@philh8829]

Wish I could hire you in the states. There is no one in the USA who does what you do. Every lawn service cuts grass, about 2% of them bag clippings, 5% of them offer aeration, 50% provide fertilization, 25% offer over seeding, and NO ONE offers scarification.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Do you have warm or cool season grasses, I don't believe warm season grass needs it...

[@philh8829]

@@Premier_lawns_official I have cool season grasses. Fescues, Rye, and Bluegrass.

[@douglascain6404]

Correct me if I'm wrong but It appears that you de-thatched the lawn using a spinning tine blade. It didn't look scarified by a spinning circular blade. Scarifying would have scraped up much more material. Show the viewers what the spinning blade looks like. Also, you can use a leaf rake just as easily as a metal rake to collect the waste.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Thanks for the feedback 🙂

[@davechamberlain9684]

Hey Robbie, what about ya. I did some weed killing late last year, it didnt recover well.(too late).

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Great time to repair it Dave

[@hanschristiandahl2989]

Super informative! Subscribed and watched a lot of your videos. I had one question coming up.. how long should you let the Iron work before watering the lawn?

[@Premier_lawns_official]

You can water it right away or leave it a day or two.

[@456Brian]

i have been doing the same as you say and my lawn looks beautiful so different than 2 years ago thanks Robbie

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Excellent 👍

[@tom451]

If your overseeing would you still recommend iron- overseed then fertiliser?

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Best to do the iron before hand

[@tom451]

Super quick reply 😂 how long between iron, overseed and fert? I also dose with seaweed if I can do that along with overseed

[@Premier_lawns_official]

@@tom451 couple of weeks if you can

[@TheWavinpipe]

Robbie I clicked the link for Iron Sulphate on your page but the product can’t be got at the moment. Any other recommendations?

[@CMDRSloma]

I bought a Ryobi battery-powered scarifier aerator. Since I already had 5Ah batteries, it was a steal. It comes with a scarifier roller, and the aerator is offered separately. I am wondering if it is with considering.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

I can't see that being effective at all as it won't have enough weight to get it into the ground

[@CMDRSloma]

@@Premier_lawns_official I think you're right some people pointed out in the comments it should be treated as a de-thatcher, not an aerator. Correct me if I am wrong, scarifier can do both de-thatch and scarify the lawn. Thanks and as always good vid.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Yes that is correct.

[@amourmtungo623]

🤔What to do first, aeration or scarification? Nice job as usual thank you

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Which every you want :)

[@nonamegiven2024]

thats for posting. question , how do you price a scarify job? time & effort for 2 passes and raking, cost of iron. Would it be X 1.5 or double the price of a basic grass cut? many thanks

[@Premier_lawns_official]

It's hard graft, and needs price accordling. Withouth knowing what you charge for grass cutting, hard to say but it will be a lot more than 1.5 times the price. The machine to do it costs over 2k, It needs clearing up and the moss treated afterwards

[@RP9SPORT]

When doing doing a lawn renovation is it necessary to fully kill the existing lawn off first? I am going to level my lawn and this will require a lot of top soil.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Nope, not at all

[@RP9SPORT]

@@Premier_lawns_official what is the benefits of fully killing off the existing lawn first?

[@Premier_lawns_official]

@@RP9SPORT usually it's because of the wrong types of grass

[@jesroop]

Hi Robbie. Is it safe to re seed straight after Iron the lawn? Which feed did you used at the end of the video?

[@Will-rq9lw]

Robbie - why don't you use MO Bacter for dealing with moss?

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Tried it, thought it worked great as a fertiliser. Didn't notice anything else with it

[@ronmccullock1407]

Nice cordless lawn mower what make is it?

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Hi Ron, it's a Milwaukee 👍

[@ronmccullock1407]

@@Premier_lawns_official looks a good bit of kit

[@robertjohnstone8845]

Excellent advice Robbie. As you say at the beginning though, you have the professional tools. I have an electric mower, but a manual scarifier, manual aerator and no spreader. I couldn't do this all in two days never mind one. Would I get the same results over a four week period.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Assuming you do it at the right time of year, yes I think so

[@aprilgeneric8027]

yes. aerate at the end of april, immediately after the first mow in may hit the lawn with the scarifier and if it takes you 2 more weeks it takes you to more weeks just break it into manageable sections that you can get up all the loose material right away. if it sits ontop of the grass for more than 3 days blocking the light and rotting it will kill what ever it is covering over 4 weeks and you will see alot of die back after 4 days to a week so it's best to get it cleaned off as fast as possible. don't kill yourself keep it manageable to a 1-2 day clean up if not a same day. you might get a pell of rain that can set you back atleast a week or a week and a half. this is why i give the warning about letting it sit, once the thatch starts to rot out it spreads out the rot and kills everything in contacts which puts disease in direct contact with the ground root system and then you will see huge problems.

[@jamesturkington1807]

Top man Robbie

[@Premier_lawns_official]

😁😁😁

[@lordd31]

How much pro kleen moss killer would you put into 16ltr knapsack, I don’t understand all this x amount per sq metre stuff, why can’t they just say how much per litre, please help thank you

[@Premier_lawns_official]

This video helps explain on to work out water rates kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXfNqZ5neKaDrpo

[@JackD87]

How long would you stay off the lawn for (apart from watering) after aerating, scarifying and seeding? And how often would you water?

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Hey Jack, my blog should help you premierlawns.co.uk/newly-renovated-lawn-aftercare/

[@aprilgeneric8027]

stay off the lawn for 3 days immediately after, once you start seeing existing grass grow within a week check for new seed growth then stay off the lawn for the next 3-4 weeks but 6 is the recommended minimum to keep off it the lawn, and only use a push mower on it until the 9th week.

[@JackD87]

@@aprilgeneric8027 9 weeks before giving it one cut?? That can’t be good for air and light to the roots

[@mickeyhughes7244]

Hi Robbie, do you ever topdress with peat compost, and if so can I use 100% peat compost..thanks

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Peat has no place in your lawn

[@mickeyhughes7244]

@@Premier_lawns_official thanks Robbie, I follow 2 lawn experts on you tube and I've seen Jack's Magic used lots so was confused with it...

[@Premier_lawns_official]

@@mickeyhughes7244 I was always taught not to use peat, apart from the fact it's not renewable. Peat, once it gets wet, is hard to get dry (think moss) and once it gets dry its hard to get wet (Dry patch) small amounts are ok I guess.

[@mickeyhughes7244]

@@Premier_lawns_official thanks a lot Robbie. Same here, I started at Stockport Golf Club 'Green keeper'.. and went through college at Wythenshawe Greater Manchester..taught the same. I've set up my own Lawn Care business following full career in the Fire Service and learning from you every week. I very much appreciate your knowledge and videos. Thanks again

[@mickeyhughes7244]

I was only allowed on the greens to topdress 😀 I was responsible for tees and bunkers and winter drainage..

[@jonnyhoward798]

Hi Robbie, great video, I’ve bought the iron sulphate granules from Amazon that you recommend to kill moss, to use my sprayer it says 1-2g per litre! It’s gonna take me ages to spray that stuff down on my lawn, what amounts do you use per Square meter/litre? Wondering if I can save time but still get the same amount of iron down without burning the lawn

[@Premier_lawns_official]

To kill moss try 500g in 20l of water of 500m2

[@kerrisparkes4984]

Can you scarify if the turf has netting back?

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Yes, they use the netting so they can harvest it faster

[@Fr4nkSanchez]

do you scarifier first or dehatch first?

[@Premier_lawns_official]

They are both the same 👍

[@Drpepper99uk]

Hi, did you add topsoil after overseeding?

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Not usually, it depends on what the client wants. But it's better to

[@lewisgardner1660]

We have had a lot of rain here I. Essex England today is the first day without rain for a long time, would it be on to scarify it now in June, we are forecast sun for the next week at least

[@Premier_lawns_official]

I think so yes

[@lewisgardner1660]

Thank you

[@Anonymous-md2qp]

I noticed that you aerated the lawn straight after the mow. Would this push any of the thatch/moss deep into the soil and cause any issues?

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Hi James, no. I think you are over thinking it

[@Anonymous-md2qp]

@@Premier_lawns_official Haha. Yep, I thought that was the case.

[@P.ridd132]

I'm having trouble finding enough dry days in a row to have non damp ground. How dry should it be would you say?

[@Premier_lawns_official]

You can do it on a damp day, it's just a bit more effort

[@P.ridd132]

@@Premier_lawns_official Brilliant, thanks

[@freedapain88]

Thank you Robbie, this is great. I missed the scarification boat this year but i can see my lawn is getting suffocated by tonnes of thatch. Do you think it would be ok to take a rake to it to go a bit lighter on it, give it some overseed and plenty of water after?

[@Premier_lawns_official]

It's generally to dry this time of year, I would hold off

[@freedapain88]

@@Premier_lawns_official Thank you for the advice!

[@mikeo8890]

Why do you use American equipment, I think the UK has some really nice lawn mowers like the swordman Electra.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

That's not a mower from the uk

[@mikeo8890]

I think it makes sense to use it if you have a big yard, but for doing commercial work you are better off with Milwaukee tools in the long run.

[@stephenceltic6733]

What weather should you aerate, scarify, put the grass seed on and fertilise in?

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Preferably dry, you can do it in the wet but that's not enjoyable at all

[@SuperKiko112]

How to turn subtitles on

[@Premier_lawns_official]

You have to turn them on your side...

[@bma4203]

I have the exact same aerator. Except mines yellow. Ugly looking things they are but work so much better then a drum style . Imo

[@bobadicious]

I took 2 trailer loads of moss out of my lawn last year and this year it looks just the same as my neighbours.

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Probably be like that for a few years

[@johnstonlee]

But what does your neighbours look like

[@Yhoothoob]

​@@johnstonlee Full of moss or no moss? 😅

[@HelensHouseAndGarden]

Another great video. I cut, hand weeded, then machine raked, and scarified my lawn last month. Just after the last frost and the lawn temp was 15 degrees. Then treated with nematodes for leather jackets at double strength. Seeded with grass seed which is just starting to grow. I'll do this again in Autumn. My question is that I have to aerate my lawn manually. I just use a garden fork. The lawn isn't big enough to justify hiring or buying a machine so it's a lot of effort. How often do you recommend aerating a lawn? Many thanks (Liked this vid and already a subscriber)

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Once a year is grand, if you want to do it more then that's great too. I do mine 3 or 4 times a year but have the machine to do it

[@HelensHouseAndGarden]

@@Premier_lawns_official Thank you. It's a lawn that I am bringing back to life so will try and do it 4 times!

[@Premier_lawns_official]

Why not hire then, it will be an easier & better job and you won't have to worry about servicing and the machine breaking. Charge the cost to the client, this will help you understand your own costs better going forward. When you get more clients, buy a pro machine. Alternatively, buy this. Regret it down the line and buy a pro machine then

[@HelensHouseAndGarden]

@@Premier_lawns_official Yes totally with you on that line of thinking. At present, it's just my small lawn not big enough to go to the expense of hiring/buying I hope to get a property with a big lawn in the future, and then I will invest in the proper kit. That said I'm very tempted to get a landscaping rake now :D

[@Premier_lawns_official]

👍

[@jmsBungz]

What do you do if u make the mistake of using moss killer before scarification?

[@Premier_lawns_official]

You can do it that way if you like

[@ErolMustafov]

Do you scarify twice a year or once a year?

[@Premier_lawns_official]

The majority of people do it once a year, you can do it more if you wish

[@drumsonly44]

The allet mower guys said some of their customers scarify every week

[@Premier_lawns_official]

That's a bit different, to be fair.

[@ShaneOHare-u9x]

Dovu still do this ?

[@goldfish2289]

Hose pipe ban?

[@Premier_lawns_official]

What

[@goldfish2289]

@@Premier_lawns_official you said hose pipe ban a few time in the video and I was just wondering what that is? At 2:30

[@goldfish2289]

@@Premier_lawns_official come on bro what were you saying? Can’t start my lawn until I know what hose pipe ban means?

[@hatemondays]

So the UK now has Milwaukee mowers in stock. Meanwhile , in the Arsehole of the world......sigh

[@haroldbetterson1877]

What about ya x

[@Premier_lawns_official]

😁😁😁

[@stevenbuckley1416]

💚👍

[@Premier_lawns_official]

👍👍👍

[@cretene1]

hose pipe bans is the biggest joke in northern ireland bth

[@Premier_lawns_official]

100 percent lol 🤣

[@rampartranger7749]

All the Americans are wondering why you would want to frighten your lawn😂

[@Premier_lawns_official]

?

[@wiktorpoliszczuk1372]

when should you scarify a lawn😂🤣😅😆😁