Thatching the lawn removes a layer of built up debris, giving your grass a much-needed boost. Your landscaper uses special equipment to perform this essential spring task, which may also be called dethatching or power raking. Find out why you need to include thatching in your lawn maintenance this year.

What Is Thatching?

Thatch naturally builds up on your grass over time, and through no fault of your own. This thick layer of dead grass and debris blocks the grass roots from receiving the water and nutrients needed for optimum growth.

Fertilizer cannot effectively penetrate thatch, resulting in wasted product. Less water makes it through this barrier, resulting in dry soil and grass that quickly turns brown in a drought.

The process of removing or raking thatch build up is called thatching or dethatching. You may be able to rake away this layer from a small lawn, but your hard work cannot remove the build up as quickly or effectively as power raking equipment will.

Is It Worth the Investment?

Thatching is an affordable service and is often included in spring clean up or maintenance services. The advantages of this process are well worth the investment, especially if you appreciate admiring and walking on lush, green grass.

Remove thatch build up to allow a clear passage for water, sunlight and fertilizer. An experienced landscaper will use a power rake at the proper depth to eliminate thatch without damaging the grass, leaving your lawn clear and ready to grow.

Thatching is often done with aeration, a process that removes small plugs of soil and grass to encourage root growth. Scheduling for thatching and aeration depends on the type of grass - aerate cool season grass in the early spring or fall, but wait until mid-spring or summer to aerate warm season grasses. Thatching is best done in spring to encourage a healthy lawn all season long.

Schedule your thatching and spring clean up service today, and look forward to a season of healthy, gorgeous green grass.