After this summer’s extreme and prolonged period of hot weather, many of us – particularly across the south of the country – are faced with lawns looking more like sand than grass. Now, a bit of rain will see your lawn quickly start to recover, but as it does so, you’ll likely be left with an accumulation of turf-stifling thatch and dead grass below the new layer of green, not to mention a proliferation of weeds that thrived when the grass couldn’t.
At first, we’re just glad that the verdancy has returned, but for its long-term heath, you’re going to need to give your lawn a helping hand. That help can come in the form of fertiliser and weed-killer, which, depending whether it’s in liquid or granular form, you can apply with a spreader or sprayer. However, to really get to the root of the problem, so to speak, you’ll need to scarify and/or aerate the turf. Scarifying removes that compacted mat of dead grass, allowing the lawn to properly respire once again; aerating cuts slits in the turf – or in some cases, removes plugs of soil – so as to provide nutrients, moisture and air with better to access to the root network.
There are numerous machines that will do either or both jobs for you – if you have a less substantial lawn, walk-behind scarifiers and aerators are ideal; if you’re maintaining an expansive area and are running a garden tractor, a towed unit will prove a great investment.
So, let’s have a look at a few of those machines:
First up, one that’s been a huge hit with our customers.
One of the UK’s most popular – and most affordable – petrol scarifiers, the Einhell GC-SC 4240-P boasts a large-displacement 212cc four-stroke OHV engine and employs a series of 18 hardened-steel blades giving a generous 40cm working-width.
Attractive features on the Einhell GC-SC 4240-P include a folding handlebar, which enables it to be made more compact for storage or transport; and wide wheels, which ensure delicate lawn surfaces won’t be damaged by the weight of the machine.
Secondly, one from MowDirect-exclusive brand, Feider.
Despite its rock-bottom price – we offer it at £150 below the RRP – the Feider FST200 PRO in no way compromises in terms of power, performance or build-quality.
A two-in-one machine, the versatile FST200 PRO doesn’t just scarify; you can also configure it to aerate the turf, which, as previously mentioned, opens-up the surface to help water and feed penetrate.
There’s a beefy 5hp motor and smooth-rolling ball-bearing-mounted wheels.
Click here to see our customers’ glowing reviews!
Next, a scarifier for the smaller lawn.
Mains-driven and offering a working-width of just 38cm, the 1800w Hyundai HYSC1800E is perfect for less substantial areas where there’s access to a plug point.
Being mains-electric, it will give you no starting-hassle; and of course, you’ll have no maintenance issues.
The absence of a petrol engine also works to minimise machine-weight, making it easy to push for gardeners of any age or build.
This one will cost you just £174.99 and is covered by Hyundai’s extended three-year Platinum warranty.
And finally, one for those of you with a lawn tractor.
From our own in-house brand, Spectrum, this dethatching rake comes with a universal hitch-pin, which means you can trail it behind any make or model of tow-capable tractor mower.
It has a huge 102cm working-width, so you’ll cover vast expanses with each and every pass.
Also important is the transport handle, which allows you to raise the tines clear of the ground when you move from from site to site.
You can get hold of the Spectrum SP31101 for £60 less than the suggested selling-price!
