Aim:
- To lift creeping stems and leaves before mowing to create an even surface and thin the grass coverage, but not to affect soil surface.
- To reduce organic matter build up in the grass plant.
Method:
- Can be pedestrian, units mounted on a triple mower or as a gang mower system powered by a tractor.
- The verti-cutting unit is made up of vertically mounted blades that rotate at high speed to cut into the turf.
- Can also be mounted on a cylinder mower to complete two operations at once to clean out the surface and cut the surface.
Timing:
This operation is done during the growing season of the grass. Undertaken in spring it will have a good effect on removing dead material created during the winter.
Effects of Incorrect Procedure:
Avoid verti-cutting during periods of drought, because the action increases the surface area and increase surface drying. Only use on the grass plant not the soil.
Equipment Selection:
- A pedestrian motorised veti-cutting mower.
- Some pitch mowers have a mounted verti-cutting unit which cleans the surface as you cut.
- Some mower have a cassette system which have a verti-cuts cassette for cleaning a turf surface.
- A tractor mounted verti-cutting unit for larger areas.
Practical Tips:
Because grasses grow both vertically and horizontally to assist in covering the soil to produce a dense carpet the use of a verti-cutting unit set 2 to 3 mm above the soil surface to further stimulate lateral growth.
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