• Home
  • About Us
    • Testimonials
    • Gallery
  • Cedar Stumps & Driftwood
  • Tree Care Services
    • Tree Pruning & Shrub Trimming
    • Tree Removal & Stump Grinding
    • Tree Wellness Program
      • Oak Wilt
  • Tree Care Calendar
    • Proper Tree Watering
  • Contact Us
  • Blog

Woodsman Inc.

Woodsman Tree Service

Expert Tree Care since 1984

Mobile: 512-940-0799 (call or text)

The Woodsman Axe

Woodsman Driftwood

Refining Cedar Since 1984

Office: 512-846-2535

How to Use a Scarifier to Improve Your Landscape

How to Use a Scarifier to Improve Your Landscape

January 14, 2020 By Woodsman Staff 2 Comments

Have you heard of a scarifier? While you’re probably familiar with lawnmowers and weed eaters, a scarifier is a landscaping tool that’s often overlooked by homeowners.

When properly used, though, it can help you create a cleaner and more attractive landscape.

If you’re thinking about buying or renting a scarifier for your landscape, though, you’ll need to know how to use it.

What Is a Scarifier?

Also known as a dethatcher, a scarifier is a self-propelled or walk-behind landscaping tool that’s designed to remove thatch from the underlying soil.

Over time, dead plant matter will accumulate at the top of your landscape. Known as thatch, it rests between the healthy soil and the roots of adjacent plants.

If you don’t remove thatch, it may restrict the growth of your grass and plants while promoting a browner, more discolored landscape in the process.

A scarifier is designed to remove the thatch by scooping it out of the soil. It doesn’t store the thatch. Rather, it grinds it into a pulp.

Rake Debris

Before using a scarifier, use a rake to remove any large and medium debris blanketing your landscape.

Running a scarifier over twigs and branches shouldn’t harm it. However, you’ll experience better results if you rake your landscape before using a scarifier on it.

With your landscape raked, the scarifier can remove thatch more effectively.

Mow to 2 to 3 Inches

After raking your landscape, you should mow the grass to a height of about 2 to 3 inches.

During the summer, you may want to use a taller height of 3 inches. During the fall and winter months, on the other hand, a height of 2 inches is recommended.

Mowing your lawn will reduce the workload placed on the scarifier, allowing it to dethatch your lawn with greater ease.

Adjust Your Scarifier

When you’re ready to use a scarifier, go ahead and adjust the height to the highest possible setting.

Although there are several types of scarifiers, most of them feature adjustable height.

It’s always a good idea to start on the tallest height setting and lower the height as needed.

Run Over Your Landscape

To use a scarifier, you’ll need to push it across your landscape – just like a traditional lawnmower.

Depending on the amount of thatch that’s accumulated on your landscape, you may need to make several passes with the scarifier.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to cover your entire landscape with the scarifier. Rather, you only need to use it in areas where thatch is present.

The Woodsman Company offers tree planting, tree pruning and shrub trimming, tree removal and stump grinding as well as a tree wellness program.

If we can help with any of your tree care needs give us a call at 512-846-2535 or 512-940-0799 or

Request a Quote / Schedule an Appointment
FacebookTweetLinkedInPin

Filed Under: Healthy Trees and Lawn

Comments

  1. Power Equipment says

    August 9, 2021 at 6:14 am

    A lawn scarifier sometimes referred to as a ‘dethatcher’, is a garden tool that is designed to cut through the soil, helping to remove dead moss and others.
    https://www.powerequipment4u.com/

    Reply
  2. Mark says

    March 3, 2023 at 3:43 am

    Yeah! Some people do not understand the difference between Scarifying vs Dethatching. In fact, a Scarifier has higher power than the Dethatcher on a lawn.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Schedule an Appointment

The Woodsman Company on Facebook

Trees After Pruning

Our Uniformed Crew

Woodsman Tree Service Team

Payments Accepted

Cash
Checks
Money Orders
MasterCard
Visa

Contact Us

The Woodsman Company, Inc.
Phone: 512.846.2535
Fax: 512.365.1201
109 N Main Street
Taylor, TX 76574
United States

Our Service Area

Proudly serving Williamson County and Travis County and the surrounding areas including Round Rock, Georgetown, Hutto, Pflugerville and Taylor, TX.

Recent Blog Posts

  • How to Prevent Grass From Sticking to Your Mower Deck
  • Fescue vs Bermuda Grass: Which Is Best for Your Lawn?
  • How to Spot an Aphid Infestation in Large Trees
  • How to Keep Your Lawn Healthy During a Drought

Copyright © 2023 The Woodsman Company, Inc. · All Rights Reserved
Website Built, Hosted and Managed by Website Mojo