The Step by Step Guide to Scarifying your Lawn

[@Quaker521]

As testament to how good/engrossing your video's are, I have just watched it all the way through and I don't even have a garden! Thanks for the upload. Cheers. 👍😁

[@iainamurray]

I thought; what's scarifying? I don't have a lawn, but go on then.

[@ProperDIY]

Well a) thank you for watching and b) maybe one day it will come in useful!

[@Loosehead]

I have astroturf - zero maintenance after 30 years of mowing - and I watched it all the way through too.

[@KayAteChef]

@@Loosehead Seeing how the other half live?

[@sevvy101]

​@@Looseheadlazy

[@brucemadu8535]

The cartridge you put in is basically a power raking attachment. A scarifier almost looks like a rototiller type blade. To get out old thatch you need to go much deeper but since as you said your lawn is only a few years old you likely don’t have much deep thatch so the cartridge you used is fine. For now.

[@reelsroses3268]

Just a few quick tips coming from an Allett Dealer. Remove the side cover first to give you a great place for your cartridge screws to rest. This way you don’t lose them. Another quick tip is to remove the static rake from behind the front roller when Scarifying. Should be two small 13 mm bolts and it just drops out. You’ll have less resistance while working thru the sward. Give it a go next time. Cheers.

[@MrSmid888]

Lovely mower that. That attachment was a raker (imo). It won’t scarify it just tickles the surface. Mainly for leafs and debris. A scarifier has blades that cut down into the thatch layer and the amount of material that comes out is outstanding. You’d fill two tonne bags easy with your size lawn. I put down a moss/weed killer in late February, then middle of March a short cut, then scarify, it can bald it in places but some top soil and seed and she’ll be looking good come June. Looking good that lawn mind, looks pretty young. My lawns been neglected by the previous home owner (moss galore, bouncy thatch). A work in progress. Whatever works for you. Cheers

[@davidburton7466]

my thoughts aswell it was a power rake not a scarifier

[@emmavenvell]

I didn't realise I needed a video like this until I watched it. As a video editor I appreciate very much your multi shots, especially the one inside the grass box! 👏

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, the 'grassbox cam' I think is one of my best so far!

[@C4sp3r123]

@@ProperDIY I thought the same. Some great different angles to the usual. Keeps things interesting 👍

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

That Fiskers Weed puller looks like a great mother's day gift!!!! I quite fancy one now too 😂😂

[@ProperDIY]

I'll swap you the weed puller for your Stilh mini chainsaw (which they never sent me)

[@Gzus]

I've never seen a weed-puller like that before, but will definitely look to add one to my garden arsenal. Thank you for the upload!

[@SpartanMJO12]

Didn't realize I was so interested in lawns until I started watching your videos! Thanks for another great vid 👍

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you like them!

[@simonhughes9472]

Great timing for Spring, I’ve never had much idea about my lawn. Thanks to you, I’ve just learned how important scarifying is!

[@ProperDIY]

Glad to help!

[@bogsdolics]

Hi another great video, I used to work for a sports turf company and they recommended you feed grass 2 weeks before any work to help the grass recover , keep up the good work, G.

[@EddyCarroll]

Another excellent and timely video Stuart - just the motivation I need to tackle our own lawn and perk it up a bit. Nice to see Speedy elevated to permanent cast member in the credits too 🐌😀

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you. Well done - you are the first to notice speedy in the credits however since his recent popularity in the videos, he has asked for his own dressing room and contract so I'm not sure if this relationship will last long.

[@arthurmckelvey3892]

A very relaxing video to watch - informative, good camera work and concise commentary. Interesting that you took the time to remove the weeds and POA - I haven't seen that done on any of the lawncare channels. Really looking forward to watching future videos on your garden.

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it! I try to cover everything!

[@UnfittedNoise]

It's refreshing to see someone use evergreen 4 in 1 rather then the expense other youtubers recommend. You can pick this stuff from most local stores and it does wonders to your lawn.

[@ProperDIY]

Agreed

[@roger4880]

@@ProperDIY Evergreen per KG is more expensive than some 'profressional' products. A 25KG bag of ICL Sportsmaster renovator Pro weed and feed is £45. Two bags of 4in1 costs £60 and is an inferior product. Worth having a look around. Or even better, buy a straight fertiliser and a bottle of concentrated Weedol.

[@mrgunn2726]

Wow that Kensington mower is a wicked set of kit. You Brits may have something there, the quick change de-thatching cartridge is brilliant and the no rake grass box, spectacular.

[@Pluschap2]

You can buy Allett mowers in the States, too. But be prepared to part with upward of $3 grand 😢. I'l still trying to justify buying ine for myself

[@mrgunn2726]

@@Pluschap2 LOL, at that price I will just replace my lawn with turf.

[@MountainBikePete]

I’ve decided to up my game for my lawn this year and just saw that weed puller and thought nah can’t be that good. Anyway I hummed and harred and took the plunge to get one. It arrived today and OMG! It is THAT good! 😂 It works a treat! So glad I got one now. Thanks mate! 👍

[@singbluesilver1973]

Bought a scarifier last year. Amazing how much you get out of the lawn. It gets it ready for top dressing with lawn seed and compost.

[@ProperDIY]

Yep

[@GeeWhizRS]

That mower/scarifier looks the business. Definitely worth it for a lawn of that size.

[@ProperDIY]

It is nice

[@petersmith895]

Fantastic, great video, great job. Thank you for your time and effort, really appreciated and learnt a lot. ❤️🇬🇧👍

[@StrawbyteWorkshop]

Nice watching a tool do the work. I've just 18 sqm of lawn so it's hand-raking for me at the moment. Nice one.

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks Karl. For 18 sqm I should hope so. They will soon be calling you Arnie!

[@johnoneill3260]

Problem is my lawn is more weeds than grass !!. I just manually scarified it and I must say it does look a lot better. In the spring I will give this a good go

[@Mr_Fahrenheit]

Great job, I have an electric scarifier/ lawn rake with box and I do mine after first cut and last cut of the season twice a year.

[@RobinKeck-i2b]

Lovely, down to earth advice. I feel like having a pint of real ale with the chap.

[@colinbleach9390]

Another ace video... love watching all these. Even though my garden doesn't seem to get weeds ..at the moment anyway ...Excellent video again

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you

[@woodpecker80]

Hi Stuart Really enjoyed your top class video. I have the same Allett mower as you and find it fantastic. I took of the front roller and comb and put on the wheel kit that came with the mower. Does a great job as it doesn’t flatten the grass. I still have my rotary mower that I use after scarifying just in case there are any stones or debris left behind so as to protect the reel blades ( I can sharpen the rotary blades easily). I know it’s a lot of extra mowing but the exercise is good 😅. Thanks again for the video and many others of yours I have thoroughly enjoyed.

[@ProperDIY]

Nice one! To have a rotary back up is useful as you say and when the annual meadow grass wants to stick up. Glad you are enjoying them.

[@PhilHarmonicus]

Ha, you had me going there! My lawn books tell me not to scarify the grass until mid summer at the earliest. Then I realised that you meant RAKE the lawn, not scarify it. Raking should be done in spring and for the rest of the season. A scarifier has blades and can be quite destructive, whereas a rake has tines, like on your gizmo.

[@JardinFoto]

Agreed. I scarify, reseed and top dress lawns in the early autumn. I'm way too busy with other gardening jobs in the spring anyway 😂

[@terrytopliss9506]

Thanks for the video Stuart,very informative.👍👍

[@pacman4568]

And not forgetting to water the weeds on the patio. Nice video.

[@emiraliyusuf4643]

Hi I have just watched your video on scarifying which was great. Would it be possible for you to make an episode on building your own compost bin/area, as you pointed out there is more coming out of the lawn than you think. Thanks keep up the good work. 👍

[@daveokhiria2902]

Brilliant video as always Stuart. On a side note, your garden is mahoosive! 🤩

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you kindly

[@minimanukuk]

What lovely presenting. Great job.

[@Acheiropoietos]

Very well presented and informative. Well done.

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

Today’s job for me too!! Perfect!

[@nicowilson]

And me!

[@ProperDIY]

For all of us!

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

@@ProperDIY Yes but I’m using a spring rake….. 😬

[@simonmiddleton4977]

Great job! You certainly got your daily steps in doing all those jobs 😃👍

[@ProperDIY]

Always busy!

[@richardphillips3303]

I'm expecting a lush garden in a few weeks or months time! Great video thanks 😊

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks

[@karbonphiber]

Great video, instructions, you made all the hard work look easy. Perhaps you could have included applying starter fertilizer to aid in establishing plant growth.

[@glynprice3815]

I really dislike gardening but enjoyed this as I do all of your vids

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you

[@garulusglandarius6126]

Another excellent video Stuart, thank you 😁

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you

[@anthonyb8208]

My neighbour has the same machine mate, he's coming over with it next Spring to help me do a reno. About the only thing I could afford at the moment is an electric scarifier/dethatcher.

[@chrismills3435]

That mower is a lovely bit of kit. A tip for the the lawn feed scatter, brush off any that goes onto the patio. I didn't and my limestone patio got wet after the scatter and the feed granules burnt the patio. Maybe this wouldn't be as much of a problem on other stones but on our limestone it resulted in quite an ear bashing from 'er indoors.

[@ProperDIY]

Exactly. As I said - I have learnt from (bad) experience!

[@paulrowley71]

I scarified my lawn at the weekend too but wish I had your Allett Kensington!

[@ProperDIY]

Well done - an important job out of the way!

[@andyjackson2269]

Great Video Stu, were you getting rid of the feed that had spilled over onto the patio at the end? Use a leaf blower if you have one much much quicker, that's what I did the other week👍

[@ProperDIY]

Yes exactly! I would if I had one. I'm going to hold out from buying one until of those big manufactures thinks it's a good idea to give me one to get they name on the videos!

[@keitho77]

You should offer your services to Wimbledon Stuart. Excellent work.

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks! I did but they wouldn't let me onto the tube to get there with the Kensington!

[@martynbuzzing3327]

I found that with this type of mower, the plastic gears have a tendency to shatter if a stone or something hard gets jammed in the reel. Nice finish 👏

[@BillCarrIpswich]

1600 quid for a mower with plastic teeth! Good lord.

[@martynbuzzing3327]

@@BillCarrIpswich yep. The older gears go brittle and break a lot easier.

[@BillCarrIpswich]

@@martynbuzzing3327I'm sure another 100 quid on the price for proper machined gears won't lose them any business

[@BillCarrIpswich]

@@canalboating That's fair enough I suppose. I hope they have good servicing and spare part availability

[@martynbuzzing3327]

@@canalboating yep, exactly. The older machines use the same gearing and they sometimes broke because they got brittle and shattered at speed.

[@stephenk4834]

Great video. Just subscribed. All the best with the Allett. I scarified 3 weeks ago and overseeded about a week ago so hoping for results soon. Back looks a bit of a mess. I used 2 in 1 cobra electric but think I went a bit too heavy.

[@valborchardt3596]

Lovely Stuart, that lawnmower is fabulous…..now i will come join you for a glass of wine 😂😂🤣🤣

[@ProperDIY]

You are welcome any time!

[@streaky81]

That's a nice lawnmower, wish I had a big enough lawn to justify buying one :) It's a shame there's very little difference in price between the 14B and 20B, makes the smaller ones somewhat less viable - though I totally get why.

[@007butty]

Great video, lovely garden.

[@ProperDIY]

Many thanks!

[@carllamb6711]

Hi Stuart Great content mate you’ve done a really great job… may I suggest one thing that you give your lawn a good top dressing which will help to level your lawn so when you’re cutting it your mower is not bobbing up and down all over the place and it will make your lawn look so much better nice to see you’ve put a bit of weed and feed on as well thanks mate

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks. Top dressing is absolutely needed and will be in a future video. Running the lawnmower over it at the moment is like hitting the rumble strips on a motorway!

[@carllamb6711]

@@ProperDIY The only bad thing about top dressing mate is it takes the cutting edge off your cylinder mower which then usually you will need to back lap your cylinder with the bottom plate with a cutting paste To get it to cut your grass nice and crisp same as when you’re cutting glossy paper to make sure it’s cutting correctly

[@jwatkins123]

Fab vid as always Stuart, I've just picked up one of the electric scarifiers from Aldi as my lawn needs a good going over. Also, purchased the weed puller from your affiliate link so a few extra pennies for you!

[@ProperDIY]

Nice one! the electric scarifying from Aldi will do exactly what you want it to. But if it goes too far remember - grass always grows back.

[@pauljunker8056]

Quick question why haven't you have a ride on mower love the videos keep them coming

[@gow03333]

Thank you for uploading, good video my Allett brother. Have you tried A1 seed and fertilizer, found them easy on the pocket ,well I had to save money after buying my magnificent Kensington 20😂😂😂😂

[@manceconomist]

Perfect. Just received my Aldi one.

[@ProperDIY]

Nice one - works well

[@leetaylor2883]

It's a great video, but I think you were raking, not scarifying. You were essentially using a mechanical version of a spring tine rake. A 'scarifier' comes with a cassette of vertical blades which are used to cut into the soil to create a bed for seeds to fall into when overseeding. It also removes thatch and some say it aerates, but I don't think it goes deep enough to do that. I hope you don't mind me pointing this out, because you're video is very informative.

[@smi77y79]

apologies if someone has already mentioned but that is a power rake not a scarifier. im sure the scarifier are actual blades and not the little spring points.

[@Petertronic]

Just found your channel thanks to Vikkie the Carpenter's Daughter - great stuff!!

[@ProperDIY]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@mortofromoz1]

Stuart. It's interesting your nemesis, Poa Annua, appears in the beginning of your warmer seasons. Here in sub-tropical Australia, Poa Annua is called Winter Grass, as it only appears in, you guessed it, our winter. And yes, it's a real problem here as well, growing in areas that are in winter shade. It won't grow where there is direct sunlight. It just shows the climatic differences between the two countries.

[@ProperDIY]

I find it here all spring and summer. late summer it seeds and is a particular problem.

[@mortofromoz1]

Our winter sun is similar to your winter sun. If Poa Annua is not removed before the seeds mature it will re-appear for the next five to six years. Thank you for the effort you put into your very informative videos. They are of great value.

[@colingoode3702]

Weed puller ordered. Watching your videos is starting to get expensive Stuart!! Seriously, I did need something to take the strain off my poor old knees & my hips aren't too great these days either so this should help. Time to consign the old bread knife to the bin hopefully. Another great video .

[@ProperDIY]

I'm sorry for the cost! Maybe watch the videos with the sound off while squinting!

[@simonroberts2735]

Hello there am gardening like watching your grass tect neeks getting moss out only got small lawn do think get moss out next year 2023 say march time what’s best feed to am thinking of getting a quote know going to laugh when tell me price thanks again for videos 😊 Simon from crossgates Scarborough 👏..

[@johnloran]

Good job, I use the fiskars weed puller loads to save my back. I have a camon professional scarifier and it does a good job of scarifying but leaves loads of mess because the collection bag at the back is next to useless. I have to spend ages raking up and cleaning up with the leaf blower. How do you feel about black fence paint? I'm gonna try using bitumen to hopefully get it in one coat. Cheers 👍

[@abbyanderson4171]

Do you seed the lawn before applying the compost

[@nrnccrdn]

New intro, nice!

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you like it!

[@Dearmrmusselwhite.bsky.social]

Here in Canada, that mower sells for over $10,000! Nice bit of kit if you can afford it!

[@chubbinator35]

Beautiful lawn Stuart. We are still about a month away from where youre at now. Im on meltwater removal detail lol its been a crazy year at my location in Canada.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you. In the UK 'meltwater removal' is not one of the things we have to worry about to be honest! But, I'm sure when the spring/summer comes you will have a good one.

[@scotf7313]

Do you need to water in the fertilizer.

[@843thebear]

If you can, leave a few dandelions for the bees, it's sometimes the only source of food available for bumble bees emerging early from winter sleep.

[@dazdaz105]

Nice stripes ! 👍

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you like them!

[@philipbaker1916]

Stuart, when you said you had one more job to do before the glass of wine, I thought you were going to clean the Allett . . . 😊

[@paulentwistle1204]

Could not have timed this video better, my scarifier has just been delivered today.

[@ProperDIY]

Nice one. Remember, whatever you do to grass it will grow back quickly so - give it a rip!

[@paulentwistle1204]

@@ProperDIY I have seed and fertilizer, just in case. Really enjoy the videos you are doing, very informative, thanks 🙏

[@dawkinsm]

Great bit of kit and good job. Looks like you need a compost heap - maybe a future video 👍

[@Ginwood]

Four pallets and some big nails, that’s Fridays video sorted ;-)

[@ProperDIY]

It will be on here soon!

[@ProperDIY]

Nothing like a 1min video!

[@petert9465]

Another very useful video, the man of many talents!

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you think so!

[@kieran.stafford]

I wonder would you consider leaving some of the lawn to grow a little wilder, kinda meadowy - for the bees ?

[@trevorpringle1480]

Top bloke

[@dumitruvalentincrihan2527]

Hi, How efficient is the weed puller? Is it pulling from a decent depth?

[@vk2him]

You're supposed to mow it again after running over with the scarifier - like you saw the Poa and other grass will be standing upright after scarifying so mowing afterwards will cut the grass that was laying down previously - the comb does a similar thing

[@ProperDIY]

I did!

[@vk2him]

@@ProperDIY all good, in the video you said after scarifying you’re finished but because you saw that weed you had to mow it.

[@johnnyq79]

I kinda want a lawn now

[@idi0tdetectioninprogress]

Not really been cold, weeds are ahead of the game.

[@BillCarrIpswich]

I know some people are different, but I'm left cold by the sight of a big monoculture lawn these days. My garden has a big chunk of clover which is gorgeous. Theres more going on in there which keeps the starlings coming back daily to feed. I did get rid of a big patch of moss, which wasn't very healthy and pushed everything else out.

[@Youtubeuser1aa]

Why not keep moss. More biodiversity!!!!!!

[@BillCarrIpswich]

@@KZbinuser1aa The moss was half dead anyway. It is good for biodiversity though, lots of places for insects to hide etc

[@honestmcgyver]

Great video. Don’t you it need to rain within a few days for the weed and feed? Looks like a dry spell for a while...

[@iainamurray]

Impressive lawn. I've seen smaller football pitches!

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks

[@oisinoconghaile9053]

Will you by chance be painting/staining/treating the fence panels this year ?

[@Jetpac74]

Stuart - maybe trialing a fence stain sprayer for the fence panels? Another great video by the way!

[@ProperDIY]

Yes. After my fence video of a couple of weeks ago I am now buying a sprayer - so coming soon!

[@kanedNunable]

i have an old steak knife that i use, its handy as the blade is like a little saw too

[@ProperDIY]

Nice one!

[@markshaz8691]

A job I hate but has to be done.

[@mandyleeson1]

Great video, Stuart, though I must confess I'm sorry that you got rid of the bit in the intro where the brush head comes off the pole. Made me laugh out loud every time!🙏🏻

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks. That intro is still there every Friday with the normal videos. The Tuesday 'Garden Series' videos have a different start.

[@paulgreen9979]

How do i deal with bald patches? Any ideas please

[@tailoredimage1568]

Hi, will this process remove clover?

[@mphys5370]

Would love a video on any tips for heavy clay lawns :(

[@jamesfarrer5087]

Checkout LawnRight channel, lots of detail on dealing with clay

[@mungoh]

I was told that anything with tines is a "grass rake", and a solid blade is a "scarifier". Also, consider building a hinged "sheep pen" contraption that serves as a frame to hold a one-tonne bag. Then lace the bag into the frame and not have to manhandled the floppy bag whilst dumping rubbish in it.

[@ProperDIY]

No. Have a look at the Allett website

[@thekoshplays2207]

Was this done in April?

[@TheSpaniard80]

Get that fert watered in too on the lawn, otherwise u’ll be having a crispy brown lawn in no time. (Unless rain was forecast?) 👍🏼

[@rudolphking9971]

so this is a mower / power rake a dethatcher/scarifyer is a bladed cartridge that cuts past the seeded level of grass to a spongey like soil other then that a very well edited video but id recommend you take it up a level when raking the lawn as you pulled a lot of green out witch wont help in the long run best of luck

[@somewhereelse3813]

Proper job. 👍 Enjoyed the content as usual, though no good for my fake grass! Neighbour looks like they lost a greenhouse in the winds maybe...... Shame

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you. There is a story behind that greenhouse that I hope to be able to tell the Patreons soon

[@somewhereelse3813]

@@ProperDIY ohhh now I'm interested 😁

[@justintemp]

How do you stop ant mounds from forming on such a large garden during the summer? Paving and ants are scourge!

[@Aspartame69]

My r43rve is best of both worlds, well, it gives you stripes for minimal effort. Obviously if you are spending a lot of time youd get better results with a cylinder.

[@justintemp]

Your method of using the weed remover doesn't seem to use the foot pedal. Have you got a different technique?

[@peteg9011]

Great video! What was that tool you used on your edges???

[@ProperDIY]

it's a Bosch strimmer - details in the description

[@benvoliothefirst]

Day brie! aaAAAaaah! Fighter of the night brie! aaAAAaaah! Also, is this man not composting his grass clippings and dey bris?! What fresh hell is this?!

[@fontybits]

Bloody hell, where was Hoss? That's the Ponderosa! 😄

[@grantsparkes3479]

I’m a complete novice on this, but would you top dress or is that just Autumn ?

[@ProperDIY]

Yes definitely. Video on that coming soon

[@robrn1975]

Is that winchester?

[@rs-qt1qg]

I can't be the only one who read the title as sacrificing your lawn 😂