Scarifying a garden is a job which garden care consultants all agree is crucial for the well being of your grass. However what to do after scarifying your garden?
As soon as the lifeless grass and moss has been eliminated, you is likely to be alarmed on the dead-looking patches which might be left behind after scarifying. Do not be – garden care consultants will let you know how good lawns are at recovering.
In actual fact, the naked patches are permitting larger air circulation to your soil, which is able to assist new seed to take root. Take a look at the important subsequent steps under to make sure a thick and wholesome garden follows.
1. Take away the particles
When you’ve scarified at the most effective time, the speedy subsequent step is essential: clearing the particles. “Take away all of the lifeless moss, thatch and weeds instantly,” advises Jane Fairlie, technical coaching supervisor at Doff Portland.
“Leaving it on the floor can cease mild and air from reaching the soil, which is able to influence restoration. Rake it into piles, raise it with leaf grabs and compost it or place it in your backyard waste bin,” says Jane.
As soon as you’ve got cleared up, it is necessary to not stroll in your garden for a few weeks after scarification.
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2. Verify soil situation
After scarifying, it’s price checking the situation of your soil. “Over time, lawns grow to be compacted, particularly in high-traffic areas,” Jane says.
Aeration will assist a garden after scarification as it might alleviate soil compaction, says Richard Barker, industrial director and horticultural skilled at LBS Horticulture.
“The small soil cores left behind after aeration can include useful microorganisms which will assist to interrupt down any remaining thatch,” he provides.
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3. Feed and prime gown
After a number of weeks, your garden is on the mend, so the next step is to provide a nutrient increase to get your garden thickening up.
“A garden fertiliser that’s wealthy in nitrogen may help to encourage grass improvement for quicker restoration, or alternatively a slow-release fertiliser will steadily feed your garden over a number of weeks because it recovers,” suggests Richard.
Attempt Darkish Inexperienced Garden Fertiliser, £13.99 at Amazon. In the event you favor to go pure, Jane Fairlie suggests you strive an natural granular fertiliser; it’s a fantastic different for eco-conscious gardeners.
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Richard Barker
With 4 years within the business, Richard Barker is an skilled in horticulture and the industrial director at LBS Horticulture. He’s eager to share his information with each skilled and newbie gardeners, and prides himself in holding updated within the newest horticultural traits.
4. Overseed naked patches
Give it a couple of week after fertilising earlier than overseeding. This offers the feed time to settle into the soil,” Jane Fairlie explains. Attempt Quick Rising Grass Seed for Fast Garden Patch Restore at Amazon.
“The very best situations to use new grass seed are moist soil, ideally after rain. If it’s dry, water with a sprinkler first. Press seeds down gently with a curler or by strolling over the world.”
In the event you skip the fertiliser step, it’s best to wait two to a few weeks after scarifying earlier than overseeding your garden. “This time interval will permit the garden to recuperate from the stress of scarification, which might present a more healthy setting for brand new grass seed,” says Richard.
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5. Wait to mow
“As it’s best to have mowed the garden previous to scarifying, it’s best to wait every week or two earlier than mowing it once more after it has been scarified to permit it satisfactory time to recuperate,” says Richard.
“The aim is simply to trim the guidelines as this encourages tillering, the place grass thickens by producing new shoots on the base. So mow on the highest setting in your mower,” says Jane
It is best to mow your garden earlier than making use of new grass seed, then wait till it is grown 5-8 cm (2-3 in) excessive earlier than mowing once more.
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Jane Fairlie
Jane is technical improvement supervisor at Doff Portland – producer of premium backyard care merchandise
6. Deal with weeds if wanted
Moss could have been eliminated throughout the scarification course of and any additional weeds in lawns must be eliminated by hand.
Richard Barker’s recommendation is to keep away from utilizing herbicides for not less than two weeks after scarifying your garden and delay the applying of pesticides till the garden reveals indicators of restoration.
7. Preserve soil moist
The very best time to water grass must be adjusted relying on the climate. “When you have scarified and overseeded your garden, it’s best to attempt to hold the highest inch of soil persistently moist, which will be achieved by two to a few mild waterings a day,” says Richard Barker.
“Because the grass seed begins to germinate, you possibly can scale back the frequency of watering, however it’s best to improve the period. After a number of weeks, you possibly can return to a standard watering schedule in your garden,” he says.
(Picture credit score: Jeremy Phillips)
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