Is it too early to scarify your lawn?

We are noticing a lot of traffic generated on the site about scarifying your lawn. The quick answer is do not attempt to scarify the lawn until you have given the lawn its first mow of the season. At such time, your lawn must be able to put on some natural recovery growth so performing this important mechanical lawn task too early in the year is complete madness and not very good for your lawn either. Anyway, it is still winter and more snow and frost is forecast so although you might be keen to get to grips early with the lawn - hold off until the temperature sparks off a growth spurt.

There are still some lawn treatment companies who insist on scarifying a lawn in the winter and early spring months when there is no growth potential to aid recovery. Their actions and advice is wrong and goes against sound principles of turf culture so do not be hoodwinked into having it performed - not yet. Aeration is good though so long as the ground is firm enough to withstand the equipment and not make a mess of the surface.

If you need a task - take the mower down to the service centre so that it may be ready for the start of the spring season. Make sure that you request a new blade. In the meantime, if the weather does turn a little milder, head off into the garden to get the last of the leaves and twigs off the lawn in preparation - you will enjoy the sharp and fresh air and exercise. Raking a lawn uses different muscles to shovelling snow and sweeping paths too :-)

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The lawn in the picture has been severely scarified after insect damage, just ahead of lawn renovation including over seeding.