HOW TO REMOVE MOSS AND THATCH FROM YOUR LAWN

1. What is thatch in a lawn?

Thatch is a layer of dead, undecomposed straw-coloured plant debris that settles deep in grass, in direct contact with the ground. It mainly builds up during periods of high thermal stress, such as in summer or winter.

Thatch consists of deposits of leaves, roots and plant parts that decompose slowly. This layer builds up excessively when plant debris accumulates faster than soil organisms can decompose it.

An excessive amount of thatch is always a problem: if it is thicker than 2-3 millimetres, a number of issues can begin. In the long run, there is the risk of ruining and seriously damaging the lawn.

2. Ways to remove moss and thatch

Chemical and natural products can be used to combat moss, however scarifying is essential, also using professional machinery. To ensure that a green lawn remains beautiful over time, any lawn thatch, moss and other waste material from cutting should be removed at least once a year. Scarifying is a kind of intensive care procedure for grass, and is one of its basic treatments. In this way, grass roots get enough air, and water is able to penetrate to the roots again without any trouble.

3. Spring rake or scarifier?

In short, the difference between these two machines is that a scarifier is used to remove mulch that builds up on a lawn during the year, thereby preparing the soil to absorb oxygen in the best possible way and allowing the growth of healthier blades of grass. A spring rake for the lawn, instead, is not used to remove mulch, but thatch.

A spring rake can be powered by electricity or a petrol-powered motor. For working on larger areas, a petrol-powered motor is recommended. This ensures that you will not be reliant on the length of the power cable and the availability of power sockets. If, instead, you have a smaller lawn or a classic garden at home, then an electric spring rake can also provide excellent results.

4. When is the ideal time to scarify a lawn?

As scarifying may damage not only moss and weeds but also healthy grass and plants, the vegetation should be fairly robust. Late spring is certainly the ideal time for a scarifying treatment. In this period, grass grows faster and soil regenerates well due to good weather conditions. A lawn can also be scarified in autumn, but no later than the month of October, so that the lawn is still able to regenerate afterwards.