Want a better-looking lawn? It’s time to get scarifying

Lawns need vigorous growth to look their best, and dead grass, moss and weeds need to be teased out to allow light and nutrients to penetrate the roots.
Years ago this was a back-breaking task using a tined rake but modern scarifiers make this a much easier job and mean lawns can be cleaned out several times during the growing season.

So here are three machines to consider for all types and areas of lawns.
First is the Al-Ko Comfort 38E Combi-Care Electric Aerator / Scarifier, a clever two-in-one machine with two cassettes for light and more vigorous treatment.
The first cassette is 37 cm wide and has hardened steel blades which cuts slits into the turf which lets light and nutrients into the root system.
The second 38 cm cassette is a gentler device with 24 sprung steel hooks will tease out the matted grass and moss.
A 1300 Watt engine is built for a long life. There are five working depths which are easily adjusted and a 55 litre box will pick up the rubbish eased out.
Delivery is free the next working day and there is a two year maker’s warranty.
It costs just £179.
This second one is from the same German manufacturing company and is petrol powered.
The Al-Ko Comfort 38P Combi-Care Petrol Aerator / Scarifieralso has two cassettes, an aeration cassette and a scarifier.
The scarifier has 24 sprung hooks to ease out the thatching on top of the lawn while the aerator has 24 steel blades to slice through the surface.
The engine is Al-Ko’s own 53 cc one with a large intake at the front to assist efficient cooling.
There are five height settings and a 55 litre collector for all the rubbish.
This machine costs £329 and has free next working day delivery and a two year manufacturer’s warranty.
And as an added bonus there is a free steel jerry can.
And finally here’s one on special offer and a best seller.
The Einhell BG-SC 2240P Petrol Lawn Scarifier is the lowest priced scarifier in its class, engineered in Germany and suitable for lawns of around 1000 sq metres.
It has 36 steel blades and is a really tough, hard-working machine.
There is six height settings and a 40 cm working width. And large wheels mean it will not damage the lawn and is easy to manoeuvre.
A 118 cc engine is made to last and easy to start.
It costs £279.95, £220 less that the maker’s recommended price.
There is a two year manufacturer’s warranty and free next working day delivery.
See our special pages on sacarfiers for a wide selection of these essential garden machines.