Lawn Care Services
See also: Treatment
Lawns will struggle to grow and prosper if they contain moss or thatch, which stifles growth, or if there is excess compaction. Our optional services will help overcome the cause of these problems, leading to a healthier lawn.
We offer:
1. Scarification which will thin out and remove the thatch and moss invasion that has built up. This is particularly effective following our Spring or Autumn treatments.
Scarifying is a process perhaps best described as a mechanical raking of the lawn; its primary purpose is to remove thatch from the lawn although it has associated benefits as well. The machine used has a series of sharp tungsten blades that rotate at high speed and cut into the turf in a vertical manor. The depth can be adjusted to remove as much or as little as required. This machine and process should not be confused with the typical machine available on the domestic market, which is more of a lawn rake, has much less power and limited depth penetration.
Why does my lawn need scarifying?
A lawn that has developed a large amount of thatch or moss needs to be scarified to remove as much of this material as possible allowing the grass space to grow. Scarifying should be carried out at a time when the grass is growing actively to allow it to recover from this rigorous process, usually autumn through to spring time. It is advisable; although not essential to carry out scarifying before a fertiliser treatment as this will greatly speed the rate of recovery from the process.
How often does my lawn need scarifying?
All lawns are different in their characteristics and it is therefore very difficult to predict how often to scarify a lawn. There are a number of factors that will affect the frequency required. If a lawn contains large amounts of thatch and / or moss it may need a number of treatments to reduce the level to be manageable. Different grass types tend to produce more thatch than others and therefore need scarifying more frequently. As a general rule Greensleeves advise that a lawn should be scarified between every 1 and 3 years but for specific advice please discuss with your lawn manager who will be able to look at your individual circumstances.
2. Aeration. Hollow Tine Aeration is the process of taking small plugs from the lawn, which is the
best way of easing compaction and sub-surface thatch,
allowing air, water and fertilizer penetration to the root zone. This is particularly effective at
the beginning and end of the growing season.
Aeration can also help the lawn through drought stress conditions, enabling water retention in the crucial root zone.
Why does my lawn need aerating?
Over time most soils will become compacted, squashing the particles together and reducing the grasses ability to grow well. This compaction will itself cause a number of problems, it will increase the likely hood of the lawn becoming flooded or water logged. Compacted soils are much more likely to become invested with either weeds such as daisy´s or moss. The roots are unable to access the nutrient they require so the grass tends to be thin weak and pale in compacted soils.
If thatch is a problem in a lawn then the best way to reduce its impact on the turf growth is by Hollow tine aeration.
How often does my lawn need aerating?
A lawn can not be over aerated as long as it is not damaged, the more often the better. As a rule Greensleeves tend to suggest that it is carried out between every 1 and 3 years but as all soil types / lawns and situations are different it is really something that needs to be discussed individually with your lawn Manager.
See also: Treatment