Module 3:

3.3 When are they carried out?

3.3.15 Raking / Scarifying

Which one of the following statements best describes when a mechanical scarifier is more commonly used?

Scarifying would normally be carried out when the grass is growing actively and strongly, to allow it to recover rapidly from the action of the metal blades, so mainly April to September, but not in drought conditions as this would stress the grass plant and typical cause undesirable surface disturbance.

Raking of the surface, which is not as severe as mechanical scarification, has the metal narrow tines working through the grass blades or only towards the base of the plant but not below this level, might be used outside of this period, but only so long as the weather is not too cold not the ground too wet.