Dethatching isn’t necessary for every West Michigan lawn, but is it right for yours?
Thatch is a naturally occurring layer of organic material (such as leaves, stems, and roots) on top of the soil in your lawn. It is healthy in moderation but, if too thick, can prevent air, water, and nutrients from penetrating the soil. In most cases, light raking (with a regular leaf rake) can keep thatch under control. AAA Lawn Care and many lawn experts also recommend aerating your lawn once a year. Aeration helps your lawn get the air, water, and nutrients it needs and also reduces soil compaction. However, if you have an extremely thick layer of thatch (three-quarters inch or more), dethatching may be for you.
Dethatching, or scarification, essentially scrapes and tears away the thatch layer on the soil. Dethatching may initially make the lawn look thinner, as it can also damage healthy grass, but will encourage growth in the long run. After removing thatch, in should be swept or raked up with a lawn sweeper. It is most commonly recommended that dethatching be completed in the spring or fall.
AAA Lawn Care does not offer dethatching as a service, as it can be hard on your lawn and is also costlier than aerating. However, if you are not sure if your lawn needs to be dethatched or aerated, please call us at (888) 374-7336. Your AAA Lawn Care technician will be happy to assess your lawn and give proper recommendations.