Do You Need Scarification Or Just A Feed? Five Signs It Is Time To Rake Out The Thatch

Feeding a spongy lawn will not fix the problem if thatch and moss are blocking the soil. Here are five clues you need scarification.

If your lawn feels soft underfoot and looks dull even after fertiliser, the issue is often a thatch and moss layer that suffocates the soil surface. Scarification removes this dead material so air, water and nutrients can reach the roots.

Five signs to watch

1. Spongy feel when you walk across the lawn.
2. Shallow, weak roots that pull up easily.
3. Water sits on the surface or runs off rather than soaking in.
4. Pale, streaky colour despite recent feeding.
5. Moss returns quickly after treatment.

Best timing in West Sussex

• Spring for light thatch and cosmetic tidy before summer.
• Early autumn for deeper renovation followed by overseeding.

What to do after scarifying

• Overseed at 20 to 35 g per m² and roll or press seed to soil.
• Topdress 3 to 5 mm to level and improve contact.
• Water little and often until germination, then reduce frequency.

For help deciding between the two core treatments, read Scarification vs Aeration:
https://lawncarechichester.co.uk/scarification-vs-aeration-which-lawn-treatment-does-your-west-sussex-garden-need/