Football Pitch Raking and Scarification

Raking or scarification of the pitch surface will be carried out to varying degrees of severity. This can range from a light grooming with a metal tined rake, which might be part of an attachment on a grooming frame such as the SISIS Quadraplay, to more specialised mechanical scarification which can be set to light to a deep setting depending upon the time of year, to the use of a chain harrow, especially where equipment is limited, so as to tear out loose grass.

These activities will mainly be carried out whilst the grass plant is actively growing, cutting into any thatch or into the soil profile to an often-shallow depth.

Raking or scarifying outside of the growing season can leave scars and score marks on the surface that last for a long period of time over the winter months and can look very unsightly if carried out towards the end of the growing season and where it was undertaken as a heavy raking or scarification.

In general, raking in its various forms might take place from weekly to monthly depending on resources and requirements, as well as the grass species present.

Where a football pitch also doubles up as a cricket outfield then mechanical scarification would typically be carried out as part of routine maintenance.