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Everyone who has a lawn near a country house is familiar with the problem of bald spots and yellowness on it. To keep the lawn in top shape, it will not be enough just to fertilize and mow it. Aeration of the soil is imperative, which is performed by a device called a verticutter. What it is, what types exist and how the device is used, we will learn from this article.
The concept and functions of a verticutter
So, let's figure out what a lawn verticutter is. The verticutter is a special device that aerates the soil, and also removes last year's small foliage from the lawn, which makes it difficult for young shoots to grow. In another way, it is also called the scarifier.
Any flower bed over time 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 the grass. Aeration is especially important for clay and wet soils, where the top layer deteriorates faster. When mowing the lawn, cut fragments accumulate between the blades of grass, and moss may also appear. This layer is called "felt" because it fits snugly on top of the lawn.
It is necessary to purchase a verticutter for a lawn if the owners want to see a well-groomed grass cover in their area. When you buy, 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 to the ground.
The verticutter is a slightly different device, and unlike the aerator, in addition to the piercing devices, it also has cutter attachments in the set, which 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 bag for collecting garbage.
Some attachments have a function to adjust 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 you ask the question of which device to buy an aerator or scarifier, then we can say that the first type will be an ideal device for treating small lawns, and the second type of device is suitable for large lawn areas.
Variety of verticutters
The verticutter is an electrical appliance and therefore has various drive options. Depending on its type, they are divided into:
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Mechanical verticutters, which do not have a drive at all and work from the strength of the person himself. These devices are lightweight and maneuverable, and they are also cheap. It is very convenient to use such a scarifier to handle lawns that are small in size. The advantages are the absence of noise during operation and the ability to process even hard-to-reach areas.
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Electric type verticutter for a lawn has a drive and is connected to the mains, which causes a lot of inconvenience from the constant presence of a wire, which can be damaged inadvertently. Such a device is literally "tied" to an outlet.But this device is manoeuvrable enough to work the lawn between bushes and trees, and also has enough power to cope with large areas. For example, verticutters of the Al-Ko trademark do an excellent job with the task at hand, while having a low cost.
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You can also find cordless cuttersthat operate from a power source that allows you to use the device without being connected to the mains. The battery should be recharged every 12 hours depending on the model and usage.
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Petrol Scratchers are the most powerful in the range, and are designed for the treatment of football and golf courses. Among these verticutters, you can choose a model for professional or private use. The MTD verticutters especially stand out 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 change and necessary repairs. Among other things, the device emits exhaust gases during operation, which negatively affects the environmental friendliness.
Criteria for choosing a verticutter
Now a huge assortment of various verticutters is 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 casing of the verticutter should be made of a material that is durable and lightweight. Lightness is necessary in order not to unnecessarily crush the grass. It is best to purchase a device with a metal or aluminum housing, as it can last for about 15 years. Less often they choose plastic cutters, the cost of which, of course, is lower, but they do not differ in strength and reliability.
Cutters and knives are necessarily made of alloy steel and are fixed in a spring-loaded way so that they are not afraid of any obstacle.
There should be a soil piercing adjustment on the device, which will simplify the process of treating the lawn. Also, for the convenience of a working person, it is necessary to choose a device with a height-adjustable handle.
It is imperative to decide in advance on the presence of a waste bin. On the one hand, this is a very convenient function that allows you to remove all the rubbish while you work. But on the other hand, on a large area of the lawn, there can be a lot of garbage, which will lead to the need to constantly clean the garbage container.
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 of the middle price category. Such devices, although they are inexpensive, compared to others, have the necessary power to process a lawn near a country house.
It is worth noting that verticutters must be purchased only in specialized stores, whose reputation is beyond doubt.
Lawn Treatment Precautions
Lawn treatment is usually carried out in the spring before feeding, and in the autumn months before the first frost.
Before carrying out work, you must make sure that there are no pets and children on the lawn. It is imperative to remove all foreign objects that may interfere with the movement of the device in advance. You also need to take precautions:
- Only pour fuel away from open flames and do not smoke during this process.
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Wear only closed shoes and tight clothing, and use special glasses for the eyes.
- If the lawn is made on a relief surface, then it is impossible to walk up the slope with the verticutter in order to avoid it overturning.
- Be sure to carefully move the verticutter when changing direction of travel, especially for electrical models, so as not to touch the power cable. Only a dry lawn can be cultivated.
- After processing it is necessary to wait for the complete stop of the drive and disconnect the device from the mains. After that, you can start cleaning it.
- During the winter months, the appliance must be stored in a warm room.
Conclusion
The 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. It is not difficult to choose a verticutter if you know the main criteria for this process, which are displayed in the article.
