Do People Scarify Their Lawn Every Year?

Yes, I do and am in the market for a new scarifier, could you tell me where the stihl you mentioned is in stock ? It gets good reviews. If you're looking to make life a little easier apply some mo bacter moss killer to the lawn before scarifying and it will help to get more out.

Same here. Total waste of time and effort.

I bought a relatively cheap electric one in Aldi/Lidle some years back. Its only a small one which had a small collection box in it. I use it on a large garden, i cheat by taking collection box off and holding the "on switch" engaged via a bungy rope, simulating box being attached. By their nature ..pulling thatch up ,they are self propelling and thus no effort. When all lawns are done I drive around on ride on collecting the thatch. Haven't done it in 2 years so definitely doing it this year and then will apply a weed and feed which I haven't done in about 2 years too. From experience both do make a difference but need to be done probably every other year.

Raking by hand is too much work for anyone (IMHO) A weed & feed is an option but you are probably better off doing them separately. Either Lawn Sand first and then a fertiliser or maybe MoBacter which contains fertiliser but much stronger moss killer (it absolutely stinks for a couple of days though). An electric scarifier is worth buying if you're going to do the lawn regularly.

Yes. A couple of years ago i bought like a power rake adapter for the lawnmower, swap blades and it rakes the thatch and moss, very effective but aggressive and lawn looks rough enough for 2-3 weeks, but its shocking the amount it removes.

Like you i have hired them in the past and each time they have had blunt and worn blades, and @50 a pop x 2- 3 times a year i was able to justify buying a dedicated machine this year...it was only delivered a few weeks ago so havent had a chance to use it yet, but i will give the lawn a light going over in a few weeks, every 6-8 weeks moderately rather than what im currently doing with the power rake blade this is what i got...took just under 3 weeks for delivery. https://www.agrieuro.co.uk/marina-systems-390-petrol-lawn-scarifier-briggsstratton-cr750-163-cc-engine-p-22122.html

Few pics of the recent scarifying, was done just over 5 weeks ago so growth only really started the last 2 weeks. All done with the "power rake blade" https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0843P9GZD?tag=amz-mkt-fox-uk-21&ascsubtag=1ba00-01000-a0050-win10-dsk00-nomod-uk000-pcomp-feature-scomp-feature-scomp&ref=aa_scomp

People might say its a lot of effort, but i enjoy it.

Iron sulfate maybe the start of march, scarify mid march, 4 in 1 feed maybe a week after that, then spray of dicophar a couple of days after the fert.

I'm not sure I'd spend much money on one, I had one and sold it on last year after doing the lawn for several years but it never really improved it, I just have the sort of soil that likes moss! I did the aerating thing too one year, another waste of energy.

Most of the advice I use on my lawn came from this guy, hope I'm allowed to post his Youtube channel, if I'm not I'm sure I'll hear soon enough !

Would something like this work towed behind a ride on?

We have a bad moss problem but do have a ride on. This is €160 on donedeal.

(Not sure how to insert a link)

https://www.donedeal.ie/gardenequipment-for-sale/100cm-lawn-scarifier-free-delivery/27649523

Yep they work but sometimes need a couple of concrete blocks or filled 5/10l water carriers strapped on top to get some penetration.

The really dumb thing about them is that if you could mount them on the front of a lawn tractor with a bagger system you could vacuum up the moss as you go. Snapper used to do a system that did just that.