Should You Scarify Or Aerate Your Lawn FIRST?

[@kennymcconnell2480]

What a pro ! Out in that rain and still managing to film the job. I take my hat off to you sir

[@LawnRight]

Cheers.. 🙏😊😊😊

[@coalitionperformance5901]

I can tell the graft that went into that. Appreciate your videos around your busy work.

[@LawnRight]

Thanks.. it was a grueller in the rain

[@hgt1001]

You’re a hero, Sean. All that hard work and in the rain too. Running your own small business can be very demanding.

[@LawnRight]

thank you

[@tonycharlton4296]

Just to say that I’m so glad I found your videos. Hopefully my lawn will be vastly improved soon.

[@claytonschemper8375]

Thanks for making all the videos and sharing your copious amount of knowledge. I just spent the last hour or so watching and learning. I’m a better husband and father thanks to you. My kids will have a much healthier lawn to play on now!

[@LawnRight]

Great to hear! :). Thanks

[@garyshepherd8999]

I felt your pain, taking that lawn on in that weather well done to you I would have gone home but you got through it and the sun came out in the end, keep up the good work.

[@LawnRight]

Thanks! Gotta pay the Bill's lol..

[@ianmozi]

Dedicated as usual, always to try out other ways of gardening than what your used to. 😎

[@LawnRight]

Thanks Ian! 😊👍👍

[@davel831]

Shaun, many thanks for taking the time to do this great vide. I hope you had a wee dram afterwards to warm you up a bit!

[@LawnRight]

Thanks Dave.. not not this time sadly 😊😅😥😥 ha ha lol

[@ryanarunasalon8754]

Could we have a video about the different grass types, what you think grows best in different soil types. which type is more upkeep. Can you change the lawns characteristic just through overseeding? Loving the channel. Thanks Ryan

[@LawnRight]

Cheers.. will add it to a list of ideas

[@mapmanLI]

I can’t believe you did that whole property by yourself. I got exhausted on the couch just watching you GREAT JOB SIR. I am in New York right in the middle of my aerating scarifying over seeding project using SunJoe.👍👍🍺🍺🍺🍺

[@LawnRight]

Hi.. I underestimated iit to be honest and it took longer than hoped..but got therein the end..

[@jeaniekelly6803]

it's hard work with no machines !!!! its hard work with em ! ...you certainly earn your money ....so well and clearly explained every step..cheers

[@LawnRight]

Thanks so much! My tired body is kinda used to it after all this time, but it still leaves me stiff on the sofa at night.. I have started stretching and it helps quite a bit tho

[@thedj5914]

I know how to do all this by wayching all your videos shaun and i habe a real decent lawn but i still really enjoy watching your videos 👍 great work and thank you !!

[@LawnRight]

Thanks 😁😁😁😁. Really pleased you're getting results and Ive helped a bit

[@KB996]

Sean, that was awesome, massive job and working through the rain, must be a Northerner😀!! regards Kev, Southerner😊

[@LawnRight]

🤣🤣. Lol☔☔☔

[@markschofield576]

I've just spent the whole day cutting hedges,I appreciate that it's not the same but my point is that this type of work is hard graft, most customers don't seem to understand this, fare play to you sir, thanks for your reply on the last video, it really helped alot, 😀

[@LawnRight]

Many thanks Mark.. here to help any time 😊👍👍

[@douglasgrant8315]

Hi Shaun On my lawn this past year I did the aeration and scarified first. Then I laid down top soil. Then rolled and pressed it flat. Then I laid coated seed down. Then top dress with more lawn soil by using a shaker screen covering over a 1/8 to a 1/4 inch of lawn soil or peat moss. No big deal at all turned out great In fact I've got snow on the lawn right now and it's still green as can be in places that are visible..

[@LawnRight]

Fantastic result! So pleased for you! Feels good doesnt it!

[@douglasgrant8315]

@@LawnRight yep

[@BrianThurman-k9t]

Sean I have just levelled my lawn and intend to reseed shortly I believe that the first cut is when grass is about 50/60 mm tall but when should I fertilise and what kind of fertilisers and should I use seaweed spray thanks for all your help

[@LawnRight]

Hi, you can pop a preseed fert and seaweed down at same time as seed if desired, but otherwise give it a good 6 weeks before any major fert applications

[@freddies6000]

Your videos are a great source of education! What would you recommend for Yellow Hawk weed treatment in lawns summer?

[@cliff9136]

Job well done. Fine line between a relatively straight forward job and making a mess (whilst increasing time and effort) to complete to a high standard when the rains come! Been there and done it myself, keep up the good work. Cheers Cliff

[@LawnRight]

Thanks Cliff.. totally agree!

[@stevenbaldwin7241]

Hi Shaun I was told if grass seed is buried more than 1 an half inch it will not germinate how big or tines about 3or 4inch 👍👍

[@LawnRight]

Hi I've honestly never had an issue and I've used aerators for years. The actual cores that get pulled out average around 1.5 inches so maybe theres some truth in it

[@stevenbaldwin7241]

@@LawnRight yeah it was my boss at the time who told me that I was on a YTS training schemes years ago. I use a garden folk it work's for me. One question Shaun I mow my neighbours front lawn it's only 7ft circle in diameter but the soil is very hard should I folk it or hollow tine it which would work best 👍👍

[@SimoneChiaretta]

I’m going to do the same this weekend: scarify and overseed. No aerator. I’m in a Belgium. Sunny day today but rain expected in 2-3 days. No tools apart from lawn mower and scarifier. Laying seed and topsoil by hand.

[@LawnRight]

All sounds perfect 😁😁 good luck and enjoy!

[@scottterry4590]

You are not affraid of hard work are you. Thanks for the content and your time👍🍃🍂

[@LawnRight]

🙏🙏🙏

[@thesugarlipslove]

a lot of grafting on this one, that rain is a nightmare. it turned out pretty good though and in doing it that way round i guess you get a free top dress too from the cores!

[@LawnRight]

Ahh yes! Thanks! 😁😁

[@GmeisterW]

Great video love ❤️ watching them.

[@LawnRight]

😊 thanks

[@alexfuto7859]

I put a bin liner in a refuse bin, much easier than opening the loose bin liner every time you pick up a pile

[@LawnRight]

Good one. I like it.. Just don't have a lot of room in my van these days

[@heartman3380]

I am new to this and really want to learn. How do you know if a lawn needs spraying or overseeding / top dressing etc after scarifying? Thanks so much

[@LawnRight]

Hi most Lawns will recover without seeding.. Just water very well for a month after scarifying

[@mikehbomb69]

Fair play Shaun, you earned your money on that one!

[@LawnRight]

Thanks . It was a grueller!

[@gord8743]

Well done on a good thorough job done here. Be good to see it in a few weeks time too. Will look to scarify n aerate my lawns soon as time goes quickly for mid October. Prob put some seed down on thin patches with bit of compost on top.

[@LawnRight]

All sounds good! If I'm passing in next few weeks I'll call in😊🤞🤞🤞

[@itsagoal182]

Great job, tough one too, and a well earned subscription too!

[@LawnRight]

Thanks

[@ciararespect4296]

14:04 Shaun you did excellent work there but don't overdo it mate 👍 that looked a tough one on your own but fair play

[@LawnRight]

Thanks.. wasnt too bad, after all these years it's just part of the job. If it hasnt rained I have prob saved an hour 😊🙏

[@125phr]

Nice one Shaun ….deserve a pint 🍻!!

[@LawnRight]

Another? 😁

[@125phr]

@@LawnRight Yeah treat yourself !! Editing looking great 👍 Gave up watering lawn around (July ) been v dry in E Anglia ….lawn looked patchy and nasty for a while Recovered really well recently with cooler weather and rain . Need to pluck up some energy to scarify and (aerate manually). ….!! Think we could still do with more rain to soften ground for aeration ….🌧🍻

[@LawnRight]

@@125phr Maybe just scarify.. with a beer hat and headphones ;-)

[@spritely2158]

Aren’t the aeration holes a little deep for efficient germination anyway? Scarifying after should partially refill the holes so depth should be better in that order.

[@bobbymcnamara3003]

Well done shaun great stuff

[@LawnRight]

👍😊

[@Cromwells_Wart]

I'm after some advice Shaun. My lawn has been horrendous this year. Waterlogged and bald in places (like me). It is a clay soil so has always struggled a little but never this bad. I am currently in the process of scarifying (by hand), digging drainage channels and trying to mix with sharp sand where I can. I intend to re-seed then top dress. Given it keeps raining and its mid-April, do I just wait till it dries out properly or shall I just wait for the first clear day and re-seed asap? Ideally I'd like to leave it but I don't know how much more rain we'll get.

[@LawnRight]

Hi. You'd think things would be getting nicer by now but it's still unpredictable.. But we are on an upward path for sure.. So it's literally just a personal choice.. Another week could be the turning point though.. Fo rme the cut off for seeding is mid may so youre OK to hang on another week or 2 and decide somewhere between now and then

[@neilfarmer6609]

Top effort Shaun!

[@LawnRight]

Thanks!

[@chrisbeach44]

Hey Shaun. I’ve got a 300sqmt lawn that’s lumpy and bumpy and slopes down on one side. Any advice howto remove the lumps and bumps and how to level and what with. I’m happy to over seed. Thank you.

[@LawnRight]

Hi a good scarify can often surprisingly help with little bumps.. For larger ones spread a thin layer of topsoil on top of the dips and work it in, so it adds about 1cm of height and doesn't smother any grass blades.. Similar thing for the sloping side really.. This is how you do it slowly and gradually with minimal interruptions.. Or if going all in.. Scarify, aerate, bring in soil to level it all and firm it down every time you add an inch or so then seed and dress

[@lisah6076]

You can do that without overseeding? They sell lawn sweepers that can make it easy to get the thatch up.

[@LawnRight]

Yes absolutely can.. in fact years and years ago that's all I did.. it recovers in a few weeks.. but any obvious bare spots would need seeding

[@fb1051]

Flipping brilliant.. just the question I was asking myself not just five minutes ago... which comes first... the chicken or the egg??? Seems either are just as important if seeding, but not real critical importance to the order

[@LawnRight]

😊😊😊👍

[@brianp7022]

Hi Shaun.. Just looking at the sunshine and ready to take advantage of sorting my lawn. Would you recommend mowing or scarifying first? Thanks

[@LawnRight]

Hi if its longer than 2 inches I'd mow it reasonably short then scarify then a tidy up mow after

[@brianp7022]

Thank you!

[@rnsjnr]

Thabks! V.useful to see process end to end. Just wondering if I can follow the above but aerate manually with garden fork?

[@LawnRight]

Absolutely 😊

[@ltphilipg]

Did scarifying with my sun Joe and then picked up with my zero turn. Then aerated and seeded. Next spring I will get one of those rolling steel push drums for the layer of soil Thank you for your videos!

[@LawnRight]

Thank you! Zero turn mower sounds like my kind of mower 😁😉

[@ltphilipg]

@@LawnRight Ego 42 inch zero turn 🤙🏽so quick to pick up the thatch! Keep up the great work across the pond!

[@Ed-nq3kg]

Very helpful advice as always. As regards seeding is there a danger that the seed will be brought to the surface and exposed by the action of brushing in a top dressing?

[@LawnRight]

Some might especially on bare spots I dont brush those.. usually most seeds should stay roughly in place

[@BrianThurman-k9t]

Sean I have a very lumpy and weedy lawn I want to kill the lawn and start from scratch, first question what weed killer do I use and dosage. Do I cut the grass really short before weed killer How long till I can scarify and level What seed do I use I don’t want a bowling green but a lawn you can walk on Do I put a fertiliser down with the seed I am digging up my veggie raised beds can I use that soil for levelling the lawn and top dressing Thank you brilliant videos and information

[@LawnRight]

Hi roundup will kill everything it touches. It should be fairly short yes.. I'd wait 2 to 3 weeks before scarifying and levelling.. Any general amenity seed will be fine or you can choose a hard wearing seed available online.. So many choices to be honest.. Yes a preseed Fertiliser is useful with the seed. Yes the veggie soil will be fine ☺️. Finally I wouldn't do this in a heatwave unless you can water multiple times a day

[@BrianThurman-k9t]

Hi Shaun when I cut my lawn short before I put the weed killer down to completely kill it should I scarify It with my spring tined scarifier to get most of the thatch out so that it is easier for the spray to do its job I haven’t scarified it for about 4 years

[@kenbuckley2211]

What is the latest in the year you would do this kind of job, and put seed down. My lawn is destroyed with having a dog. Great video as usual.

[@LawnRight]

Hi Ken as long as it's not in shade you should be fine for another week or so..but then chances diminish thereafter

[@Kitcatsnz]

What do you do with all the thatch you take away?

[@LawnRight]

Hi I let it build up then take it to a local farm that recycles green waste and turns it into compost.. About £15 charge for me to empty a full van which is really good

[@SteveWillder]

So, if I need my lawns restoring like you have done, who do I need to call and what do I ask them to do? Sorry, I know nothing about gardening buy my lawns are looking awful.

[@LawnRight]

It would be wise to get a couple of quotes.. Make sure one is from an independent lawn care company (not a franchise).. Asking for a lawn renovation.. But a decent person will be able to see if it could simply benefit from a feed and weed. You could join my facebook group and share some pics.. We can def give you some ideas

[@denisthompson8152]

Hi Sean, I really enjoy the videos! And thank you for all your info! But how long is it before I can walk on the lawn after scarifying , seeding and top soiled, my old grass is busting out lovely but the new seeds are only just coming out now after about 2 weeks

[@LawnRight]

Hi Denis the longer the better but you dont want the old grasses to be too long as they'll smother the newer stuff from the sun..so if it needs a cut just go for it but go steady especially when turning the mower

[@paulmccabe1188]

My new build property's lawn is getting water logged , I dug down and it's clay mixed with soil and very compact , my grass looks like it's dying , what should I do?

[@markpryor2298]

Thankyou for the great video, my soil is very clay, I will scarify first then hollow tube aerate, so the holes are as clear as possible, would you recommend a light coating of coarse sand to rate into holes to assist drainage, then apply seed and top dress, with sand or topsoil?

[@LawnRight]

Hi. Scarify, aerate, overseed then a thin layer compost is what I'd recommend. The compost will go in the hole and slowly get nutrients in which over months will slowly improve the soil and drainage.. you could always pop a touch h of gypsum lightly dusted before any seeds go down also thanks

[@lordvader7340]

Rite thanks for this tip , actually this sound very good to put some good sound in aerated holes Cheers

[@Souto71]

Nice job done there Shaun and Great explanation. Thanks, keep crackin on!!

[@LawnRight]

Cheers my man!

[@johncarr3855]

I have noticed a lot more fairy rings even in grass meadows.

[@LawnRight]

Hi John yeah these a lot of fungal activity at the minute. I'm seeing it too.. perfect conditions 🤔🤔

[@GW._.]

I find the aeration holes are too deep for seed to germinate so I’d say best to core aerate first after a good scalp

[@LawnRight]

😊👍

[@richardpearson4248]

Great video if you scarify the lawn and put grass seed down how long would you say before you can cut your grass again 🇬🇧👍

[@LawnRight]

Hi .. you should wait till its come through theen a very gentle high mows... typically 4 weeks at minimum.. but sometimes its "ready" for a cut sooner.. if thats the casae just do it.. high and be super careful especially when turning the mower

[@richardpearson4248]

@@LawnRight thanks for the reply I will leave it for another week or so as don't want to damage the new shoots 🇬🇧👍

[@lordvader7340]

So basically rule of thumb is to scarify firts to get all the moss and other stuff out then aerate and seed the patches where needed ?

[@LawnRight]

Thats it yep. If youre nto goign to seed you could aerate then scarify but yes youve got it bang on

[@bathams]

Like the jacket, where did you buy it from?

[@LawnRight]

Workwear Express.. based in Scotland I think

[@mumtae4549]

I have a lot of moss build up and thatching. Can you scarify in July/Aug and sow seed? Or should you wait until after summer months.

[@LawnRight]

Best to wait till it starts to cool down a little bit

[@stevenbuckley1416]

How long does it take for the grass to go black when you use to much Iron sulphate on it. Fingers crossed 😂 ?

[@LawnRight]

He he..its very quick! Moss can start going black seconds after applying

[@chrisgc77]

Have you got a video on how to get rid of creeping buttercup?

[@LawnRight]

No sorry but most broadleaf weedkillers should work like weedol for lawns

[@chrisgc77]

@@LawnRight thank you.

[@nashwaran473]

Hi I am from London area thinking to relay new turf after 10 years of last laying the lawn We have little flock of chickens and they ate and destroyed my lawns . so we re dresigning our garden and thinking to put down new turf Thanks

[@LawnRight]

Hi.. yeah chickens, dogs and kids are some of the worst things for a nice lawn. Maybe you could section an area off for their use.

[@nashwaran473]

@@LawnRight thanks mate we did exactly the same removing some plants and created a fox prove run for them When is the best time to re lay the new turf

[@LawnRight]

@@nashwaran473 any time is fine other than a frost or extreme heat.. so now is pretty good

[@nashwaran473]

@@LawnRight thanks a lot

[@murtaghslawncare.]

Shaun, what do you do with the black sacks? Would you recommend the aerator and what price might it be?

[@LawnRight]

Hi. I reuse the sacks multiple times.. I'm still on the same sacks from spring last year.. any that rip will go in the recycling bin. The aerator is quite good. Its a Camon LA25 couple of grand new. I also won an older classen drum type aerator. I like that more in some cases but its a bit too wide for some garden gates.. drum rollers you can throw around and crack on but you know you've worked hard after.. the camon is much more refined but you have to be gentle on the throttle

[@murtaghslawncare.]

@@LawnRight thanks

[@murtaghslawncare.]

Sorry, I meant what do you do with the thatch in the bags ..

[@nashwaran473]

Hi i laid new turf two weeks on tomorrow When can i do the first mow Thanks

[@LawnRight]

Leave as long as possible without it getting too long.. maybe another week if it can tolerate it

[@nashwaran473]

@@LawnRight thanks mate , they have grown really tall, I will give one more week then

[@damianmclernon6064]

Shaun, is the Landzie compost spreader worth gettin for spreading the top dressing?

[@LawnRight]

To me its great. It saves a lit of time. But if you have time on your hands you dont necessarily need it

[@damianmclernon6064]

@@LawnRight Thanks Shaun

[@fuzzy1237]

How do you find the camon? I love mine It’s heavy and a bugger on slopes buts cracking machine

[@LawnRight]

Its got pro's and con's.. for me.. easier on the back.. less physical to use.. but more refined.. That I like.. I dont feel so shattered at the end of a long day of using it... compared the the drum type classen thats faster, can be thrown around (I have to tickle the throttle on the camon - if I go too hard on the throttle it tears out grass).. i might need gto have aplay with the settings but so far thats my opinion :)

[@peterwalker7611]

Can I seed having just scarified, aerated and put some gypsum down? Early spring here in New Zealand

[@LawnRight]

hi, yes absolutely as long as the grass is starting to grow.. usually 7 degrees c and above :)

[@neutronparadigm7965]

Surely it would have been an opportunity to fertilise as well. Did the customer not want this?

[@LawnRight]

They are on treatment plans and part of a group.. We went back a week later to treat all the Lawns in that area.. When we start feeding at different times it messes our scheduling up massively having to go back into same areas several times

[@ianjones1732]

Hi Sean will that come back where the drought stress is even though you have scarified on top of the burnt areas?

[@LawnRight]

Hi.. all depends how far it's gone.. mist will recover in time

[@ianjones1732]

Mist as in water? Thanks

[@vashon100]

He meant most, not mist

[@alanburgess6889]

How long or short should the grass be before you Scarify

[@LawnRight]

Hi Alan, I'd definitely be going on the shorter side. When it's longer you can end up tearing the grass.. So I'd say no taller than roughly an inch

[@jasonhewlett1283]

Tonne bags for light bulk only. As you know ! A constant battle finding the quickest way to handle waste . 🙄

[@LawnRight]

amen to that :( Was hoping to have filled them up for a faster finish but at leats now it's nothing more than a distant memory :)

[@Aurora8783]

Does couch grass need aerating? Thankyou

[@LawnRight]

Hi its definitely worth doing yes, aeration helps to relieve compacted soils and improve drainage, all of these can cause issues for the health and appearance thanks

[@stevenbuckley1416]

Just to say I’ve watched I keep thinking of your Poor knees getting wet and Cold , I know I’m suffering from doing all that Shaun in my old age if it’s not knees it’s the back that Play up no getting around it 👍🤝👌

[@LawnRight]

At times I struggle, but not too often.. when I sit down at home, it can be hard to get up off the sofa though lol

[@germyldon]

How should I clear up after scarifying?

[@LawnRight]

Hi rake it up or use a blower rake into piles then pop into garden bin or bags

[@have-a-gorepairhero2760]

Your newer videos show you aerate first then scarify

[@LawnRight]

Hi sometimes I will do it this way too. It depends on the circumstances. For 20 + years I've done it this way however once seeing others do it the other way I tried that and it works pretty good

[@awilkinson4351]

Hi , might be a silly question, can you use the lawn mower to pick up the grass from the scarifying?. I know the mower will fill up quickly.

[@LawnRight]

Hi yes you can but I find it slower if theres quite a bit.

[@samsammsammm1547]

like a boss 😎

[@LawnRight]

🙏😊

[@rafalretkowski7103]

What aerator is that?

[@LawnRight]

Hi its the Camon la25

[@chosen1one930]

Just verticut, why in the world aerate? It's a home lawn compaction isn't a problem and most home lawns don't have soil based rootzones if you do than I'd suggest aerate if you want drainage. This is coming from a expert with 20 plus years on course experience as a superintendent. Any other superintendent would say the same thing

[@Lawn_Care_Lounge_tv_uk]

If i own a aerate be 2nd scarify lawn first

[@mariaDC63]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@JC-qf1jd]

my question is - how do I aerate my lawn if I dont have an aerator and I dont want to manually do it because I dont have a lot of time -

[@LawnRight]

You can get liquid aeration the states but not available here in the uk. Only thing I'd say is to hire in a firm to do it as a one off

[@JC-qf1jd]

yeah i thought that was that would be the only solution. Cheers. Keep up the good work

[@roberthamilton2334]

You need the proper machinery when doing a big job like that for speed. Hard graft lawn care!!

[@LawnRight]

indeed!

[@johnhouston9818]

Have you made it to tiktok yet???

[@LawnRight]

no.. maybe I should.. too many places to be lol

[@reneburger4317]

Should I use my own tongue?

[@LawnRight]

🤣🤣

[@keithsmileysharp5293]

Love your channel and learning a lot from you, just bought a Hayter scarifier but I really don’t know what to charge. Please help as this is my first year in my gardening business. Thanks again so much. Keith. Smileygardens

[@LawnRight]

Hi..probably double at least what youd charge for mowing..theres always a chance you'll need to scarify twice or 3 times and them theres the cleanup after and waste disposal to consider

[@keithsmileysharp5293]

@@LawnRight ty ty ty so much. Keep up the great work and videos my friend.

[@keithsmileysharp5293]

@@LawnRight sorry to be a pain, do you charge the customers to take the moss and thatch away? Thank you again for all your help. Keith. Smiley Gardens