Scarification

Removal of dead plant tissue from the sward is essential to reduce thatch and disease and minimise the incidence of a spongy, divot-prone surface. Without clean, effective and regular scarification, divoting becomes more frequent as weaker, shallower rooting grasses invade and colonise the grass sward.

The picture opposite shows a three-pass operation being done on a Swansea City AFC Community Football pitch close to the Liberty Stadium. The pitches had been unused for nearly 12 months and thatch levels were high, as was moss and broad-leaved weed infestation. Weed control was done before severe scarification with an Amazone Groundkeeper equipped with 3mm scarifying blades, operating to a depth of 3 - 5mm and collecting debris in its on-board hopper.

This is the completed surface. Note how the more resilient and deeper rooted Perennial Ryegrasses have survived the operation and are now able to develop unhindered by competition from undesirable Poa species.