Renovate a tired lawn.

Renovate

Scarifying, de-thatching and vertimowing

Spring to autumn for Kikuyu, Couch and Zoysia

Scarifying, de-thatching and vertimowing are names for the same job. Vertical blades cut down through the lawn and pull out the thatch, the layer of dead and dying stems and roots that builds up between the soil and the grass blades.

Some varieties produce more thatch than others, and over-watering or over-fertilising speeds it up. Removing it lets more light into the lawn, reduces fungal issues and lets water and fertiliser actually reach the soil, so roots grow stronger.

De-thatching can be done any time in the growing season, but leaving it too close to winter risks the lawn not recovering before dormancy.

• Removes thatch and spongy build-up
• Reduces fungal problems
• Makes watering and fertilising work again

Renovate

Core aeration

Late winter through autumn. Solid tine in winter.

Core aeration pulls plugs of soil out of the lawn to relieve compaction from foot traffic, cars parked on the lawn and builders rubble. Air, water and nutrients get back into the root zone, roots develop better and soil microorganisms recover.

We water lightly before coring so the plugs lift cleanly, because dry sand crumbles. If coring is the only service, we rake through and break up the cores so the loosened soil goes back into the profile. In winter, solid tine aeration relieves compaction with a quicker recovery.

• Breaks up compacted soil
• Better water and nutrient uptake
• Deeper, healthier roots

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Topdressing

Topdressing covers all or part of the lawn with sand or soil, usually straight after vertimowing and coring. There are two reasons to do it.

To fix levels and improve the turf surface, we use plasterers sand: a good foundation that drains well and does not crust and compact like brickies sand. To improve soil structure, we use a quality sand and compost mix that adds organic matter and holds more water. Changing soil structure is an ongoing process, not a one-off fix.

• Levels bumps and hollows
• Fills core holes for drainage
• Builds organic matter over time