Content
Anyone who has a beautiful lawn near their country house is familiar with the problem of bald spots and yellowness on it. To keep your lawn in excellent shape, it is not enough to just fertilize and trim it. Soil aeration is necessary, which is performed with a device called a verticutter. What it is, what types exist and how the device is used, we will learn from this article.
Concept and functions of a verticutter
So, let’s figure out what a lawn verticutter is. A verticutter is a special device that aerates the soil and also removes last year's small leaves from the lawn, which impede the growth of young shoots. In another way it is also called a scarifier.
Over time, any flower bed becomes covered with a crust, through which oxygen cannot enter the soil, without which the grass will not grow. In addition, moisture and fertilizers will not be able to reach the roots, which will simply drain from the hard crust.
Another problem with all lawns is the accumulation of caked debris, which also interferes with the growth of grass. Aeration is especially important for clay and wet soils, where the top layer deteriorates faster. When you mow your lawn, clippings accumulate between the blades of grass and moss may also appear.This layer is called “felt” because it fits tightly on top of the lawn.
It is necessary to purchase a lawn verticutter if the owners want to see well-groomed grass on their property. When purchasing, sellers may offer a device called an aerator. This is a slightly different type, which has special metal pins that pierce the ground to a certain depth and thereby provide oxygen access to the soil.
The verticutter is a slightly different device, and unlike the aerator, in addition to devices for piercing, it also comes with cutter attachments that perform the function of cutting off the dead layer of soil. Residues from the operation of the device remain on the lawn or are sent to a special garbage collection bag.
Some attachments have a function for adjusting the depth of penetration, which allows, after some adjustment, to make the cutters penetrate deeper and cut the roots of the grass, which will stimulate its growth.
If we ask the question of which device to buy, an aerator or verticutter, then we can say that the first type will be an ideal device for treating small lawns, and the second type of device will be suitable for large lawn areas.
Variety of verticutters
The vertical cutter is an electrical device, therefore it has various drive options. Depending on its type, they are divided into:
- Mechanical verticutters, which do not have a drive at all and work from the power of the person himself. These devices are lightweight and maneuverable, and are also inexpensive.This verticutter is very convenient for processing small lawns. The advantages are the absence of noise during operation and the ability to process even hard-to-reach areas.
- Electric Verticutter for the lawn has a drive and is connected to the electrical network, which causes a lot of inconvenience due to the constant presence of a wire, which can be damaged due to carelessness. Such a device is literally “tied” to the outlet. But this device is maneuverable enough to treat the lawn between bushes and trees, and also has enough power to cope with large areas. For example, verticutters of the Al-Ko brand do an excellent job of the task, and at the same time have a low cost.
- You can also find battery verticutters, which operate from a power source that allows you to use the device without connecting to an electrical network. The battery charge must be recharged every 12 hours depending on the model and intensity of use.
- Gasoline verticutters are the most powerful in the line, and are intended for treating football and golf fields. Among these verticutters, you can choose a model for professional or private use. MTD verticutters stand out especially due to their high quality. Such devices are quite convenient, but they make a lot of noise during operation, and also require regular maintenance, which includes refueling, oil changes and necessary repairs. Among other things, the device emits exhaust gases during operation, which has a negative impact on environmental friendliness.
Verticutter selection criteria
Nowadays a huge range of different verticutters are offered, among which it can be difficult to choose the right one. That is why, after determining the type of engine, you need to pay attention to other criteria that will help you make the right choice.
The body of the verticutter must be made of a material that is durable and light in weight. Lightness is necessary in order not to unnecessarily crush the grass. It is best to purchase a device with a metal or aluminum body, as it can last about 15 years. Less commonly chosen are plastic verticutters, the cost of which, of course, is lower, but they do not differ in strength and reliability.
Cutters and knives must be made of alloy steel and secured with a spring method so that they are not afraid of any obstacle.
The device should have an adjustment for piercing the soil, which will simplify the process of cultivating the lawn. Also, for the convenience of the working person, it is necessary to choose a device with a height-adjustable handle.
Be sure to decide in advance about the availability of a garbage disposal. On the one hand, this is a very convenient function that allows you to remove all garbage while working. But on the other hand, over a large area of lawn there may be a lot of garbage, which will lead to the need to constantly clean the garbage disposal.
When deciding which model to buy, it is worth remembering that this device only needs to be used 2-3 times a year, so if there is no need, you can opt for a device in the mid-price category. Although such devices are inexpensive compared to others, they have the necessary power to treat the lawn of a country house.
It is worth paying attention that verticutters must be purchased only in specialized stores whose reputation is beyond doubt.
Precautions when treating your lawn
Lawn treatment is usually done in the spring before fertilizing, and in the autumn months before the first frost.
Before carrying out work, you must make sure that there are no pets or children on the lawn. Be sure to remove in advance all foreign objects that may interfere with the movement of the device. It is also necessary to observe precautions:
- Only pour fuel away from open flames and do not smoke while doing so.
- Wear only closed shoes and thick clothing, and use special glasses for your eyes.
- If the lawn is made on a relief surface, then you cannot walk up the slope with the verticutter to avoid it tipping over.
- Be sure to carefully move the verticutter when changing the direction of movement, especially for electric models, so as not to touch the power cable. Only dry lawns can be treated.
- After the processing has been completed, you must wait for the drive to stop completely and disconnect the device from the network. After that, you can start cleaning it.
- During the winter months, the device must be stored in a warm room.
Conclusion
A verticutter is a very convenient device that is designed for treating lawns in order to aerate the soil. This treatment helps the grass grow faster and maintain a neat appearance throughout the season. Choosing a verticutter is not difficult if you know the main criteria for this process, which are displayed in the article.
