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We are out scarifying tomorrow in the SE. Weather conditions are ideal and for the best job we would topdress when overseeding.
I have seen one of the lawn franchaises scarify in a heavy January frost before but that I am sure is not "best practice!"
Our final scarifys in the Midlands will be w/b Mon 22nd Oct. Light scratches could be made all winter in mild conditions, but poor value to the customer.
As to the best work, all depends on the lawn. More time and cost effective all round to aerate and overseed at the same time - all the more reason to get them wrapped up shortly while soil temps remain in double figures.
Play it by ear with the weather, but in Berkshire it's generally till the end of October and occasionally, if mild and not too wet, 1st week in November. These late ones would be last come last served!
I am North of Newcastle, I have a good customer who also uses a lawncare company just for fertilizer, weedkill and moss although there is no moss or weeds. The thatch was bad when I got the job and is worse now, The front would be ruined by scarifying and the back is getting that way.
Red thread was and is a huge problem this year due to very damp and humid weather, after saying numerous times it needed scarifying he is going for it. his lawncare company want to do it now, up here it is soaking and will make it a ploughed field, autumn feeed will not do much apart from a bit of iron to try and green the minimal amount of grass left.
Overseeding wont germinate up here at this time of year and moss will set in,, but thats when it should be done according to them, ( they will be quiet now and want the money.)
He is prepared to let me do it but I said early spring so the grass can recover and overseeding succesful. he doesnt know which way to go. I am almost happy him using the lawncare company and saying ' I told you so' but he is a good customer and a nice person.
As north as we are I believe it is too late for scarifying especially considering the weather we have had.
im north of newcastle too paul , it has been quite miserable ... drop me a message if youre around Cramlington.
I am in cramlington Neal, I cannot see how I private message you on here though,
I am awaiting the quote from the relevant lawncare company and see what they reccomend re red thread etc.
I would give an autumn feed and some iron and leave it till early spring buts let see exactly what they say.
My thoughts exactly ............ particularly if it's good and nice customer, put them off but I would put any customer off even if they weren't that nice! Leave it to the Spring..... who wants to look at a ploughed field for4-5 months.
Did a few last week. Probably no more until February (weather permitting) based in Belfast
Finnished all mine now, Just a few seeding jobs before the temp drops but will still carry on with aerations till it gets too wet.