A beautiful and well-groomed lawn, as on the glossy covers of magazines, is the dream of every owner of personal plots. A healthy and green lawn requires a lot of attention to yourself. To make the green carpet always look good and well-groomed, just cutting and fertilizing the grass is not enough. Here you need something else, such as an aerator (verticutter) for the lawn.
What is a verticutter
Before you get used to this word, you can break the language. This is a strange word at first glance - a very useful device that helps to monitor and care for the grass. Each owner of personal plots needs a vertical cutter for the lawn, as this device significantly improves the condition of the green cover.
Why do you need a verticutter
Over the entire period of the growth of the lawn grass generations are replaced several times, garbage accumulates on the ground, everything is covered with a layer of moss. Also, the root system is so growing that the plants become crowded. All this is the result of the action of fertilizers that watered the soil. Plants grow too fast, so the remains of it, formed by mowing, cannot be processed so quickly by various microorganisms and insects.
Also, after wintering, all fallen leaves and other organic debris turn into a thin layer of biomass. Because of this, the lawn is compacted and becomes like a continuous plexus of yellowed threads. There is no pleasure from contemplation.
All this leads to the launch of the lawn: the grass begins to turn yellow, in some places peculiar voids form from the bare earth. Salvation from such a destructive action of nature is visible only in such an ingenious device as a verticutter for a lawn.
The principle of operation of a verticutter
Over time, the ground under the lawn is covered with all kinds of debris and plant debris. They must be carefully cleaned so that the grass does not rot. In addition, due to the compaction of the upper layer, the earth is covered with the so-called “crust” (it is partly formed from the fact that people trample the lawn). This very “crust” worsens gas exchange. Oxygen, which is also needed by the roots, goes poorly into the ground, and poor plants simply cannot receive it in sufficient quantities. Same thing with water and fertilizers. Fluid also does not pass well through compacted earth. And here is a verticutter? The verticutter for the lawn works like a comb. He "combes out" the grass and removes all the accumulated felt from it. By setting a certain level of active knives, you can achieve the effect of downing the earth when the knives enter the ground, cutting the roots of the grass and fluffing it up, filling it with oxygen. This is all done so that the lawn always looks beautiful and is healthy.
Verticutter, scarifier or aerator
When it comes to choosing this unit, there are three names: verticutter, scarifier or aerator. In principle, all these names mean almost the same thing.
An aerator is a unit with which aeration of the soil is carried out, its saturation with oxygen. This device has in its arsenal special rollers with knitting needles that pierce the soil to a certain level. Such piercing does not harm even a young lawn. These actions lead to the fact that the earth becomes more loose, the green carpet is better saturated with oxygen and other nutrients that come with water and fertilizers. Thus, several changes take place: the root system of the grass develops correctly, oxygen and nutrients arrive to the roots much faster, which improves the growth of the shoots themselves, making the sprouts themselves juicy and green. In general, the main task of the aerator is to help “breathe” the soil.
A vertical cutter for a lawn and a scarifier are synonyms. Such an aggregate also helps the earth "breathe", but does it in its own way. Instead of piercing the soil, it simply removes the upper layer of accumulated debris, which also blocks the access of oxygen. He can also loosen the earth with his knives, which gives a peculiar effect. The fact is that when the roots of plants are pruned, they begin a period of intensive growth. The root system begins to develop rapidly, which gives a certain positive result. Apparently, this is why the verticutter for the lawn was called the scarifier. The reviews say that the scarifier is still better, because it can not only loosen the ground, but also "comb out" all the felt and unnecessary organic garbage from the site.
When to buy a verticutter
It is advisable to buy such a unit with a lawn mower. It is advisable to walk a couple of times with a verticutter after each haircut of the green carpet and remove all rubbish formed by mowing.
Vertikutter (aerator) electric for a lawn or nevertheless gasoline
When buying a verticutter it is worth solving one problem, what type of motor to choose? Here it is already necessary to weigh all the factors that will affect the choice. First of all, you need to understand why this unit is needed at all.
If the service area is small, then it makes sense to purchase an electric verticutter for the lawn. For small summer cottages and country houses, where, of course, electricity is provided, the purchase of a scarifier that works on electricity will be the best option. The length of the wire is enough to process your site. If it is not enough, then you can always buy an extension cord.
Verticutter for gasoline lawn is designed for the "industrial" scale. If the site is really large, then you should consider buying a gas scarifier. He does not need wires that only limit his movement. It will also be useful in places remote from the mains.
Positive and negative sides of the electric verticutter
First of all, future buyers pay attention to the price of goods. Scarifiers on an electric motor are cheaper than their gasoline counterparts. In addition, caring for such a device is much easier and simpler. Another plus is the weight of the car. The electric miracle weighs less, which positively affects the lawn, because the less they trample it, the better. The electric verticutter is much quieter than gasoline. This is especially good for those who live in a city in a private house and do not want to disturb their neighbors.
The most important minus of the electric unit is its radius of action and dependence on electricity. It is useless in places far from the network.
Positive and negative sides of a gasoline verticutter
A petrol verticutter is much more powerful than an electric one. It can also work anywhere. The most important thing is to monitor the lubrication. She must always be present.
The engine makes a lot of noise and exhausts during operation, which are harmful to the environment. They are also much heavier and more expensive than their electrical counterparts.