Verti-cutting

Aim:

1. To lift creeping stems and leaves before mowing to create an even surface and thin the grass coverage, but not to affect soil surface.
2. 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.