Lawn Dethatching, Aeration and Seeding

What is Dethatching?
  
     • Dethatching is the removal of the dense layer of grass clippings, roots and stems that storm between the soil and the grass.
 
What are the benefits of Dethatching?
   
     • If you do not de-thatch it will become a problem only if you let it get too thick, stopping water and nutrients from penetrating the roots.
  
      • Dethatching a lawn is best done every two years, preferably in the spring. If you let it go for too many years, removing thatch can become a long expensive process.
  
     • Dethatching frees new grass roots to grow in thick and lush, giving the lawn a healthier look and feel. The right amount of thatch provides a soft surface for bare feet and makes the lawn more resilient to wear and tear.
  
     • Too much thatch makes a lawn too dense. It may be green on top, but it is brown and dead looking underneath. When a lawn is mowed, the brown layer is exposed, and the lawn looks "scalped" even when it is cut to an acceptable length.
 
     • If you Dethatch this will allow water, nitrogen and nutrients to penetrate into the soil and reach roots. It will protect against drought and winterkill. It will help your lawn recover from heat and drought stress.
 
What is Core-Aeration?
  
     • It’s the most environmentally benfeficial way to a Greener, Healther Lawn!
 
Why Aerate Your Lawn?
  
     • Roots need more than just water and fertilizer to survive. They also need OXYGEN!
 
     • Aeration is the process of mechanically removing plugs of soil from the lawn to improve the natural prcess of air exchange between the soil and the surrounding atmoshphere. Lawns need to be aerated regularly to improve the extent and depth of the root system and to improve fertilzier and water use. Thatch builds up over time, especially on lawns growing in heavy clay soils and compacted soils that occur as a result of the sub-soil being distrubed during home construction. Core aeration reduces thatch accumulation and minizes its build-up.
 
Can I seed at the same time?
 
     • Yes. Combining aeration with seeding is an excellent idea. Aeration loosens up the soil, giving new plant roots "room to grow". This applies to over seeding existing turf or planting new grass.
  
What about Fertilizing?
  
     • An application of fertilizer, along with heavy watering just after aeration, will greatly stimulate root growth. Deep watering every two or three days, for a few weeks after aerating, will cause the roots to grow deeper for increased strength during dry times.
 
When to Aerate?
  
     • For most grasses, the very best time is just prior to, or early in the fast growing season. Annual aeration is beneficial for most lawns. However, cool-climate grasses can be aerated in the early spring or fall, while warm-climate grasses need to be done in mid-spring to early summer. Lawns growing in heavy clay and compacted sub-soils as well as lawns exposed to intense stress (example heat and drought) will benefit from a second aeration.