Power raking your lawn is the process of cutting swathes into the dead material to remove dead grass so the soil can breathe (aeration) and the grass can grow more efficiently. Power raking differs from dethatching to an extent. While dethatching tears deeply into the soil, removing both dead layers and healthy root systems, power raking is a gentle process designed to tear out only the grass material at the surface of the soil.
What Is Thatch?
Thatch is a tightly interwoven layer of living and dead tissue existing between the green vegetation and soil surface. It is composed primarily of products from stems, leaf sheaths, and roots that are fairly resistant to decay. Although a little thatch improves the wear tolerance of a lawn, excessive thatch harbors disease organisms and insects, making the lawn more susceptible to damage from disease and drought.
When is the Best Time of Year to Power Rake Your Lawn?
Cool season lawns should be power raked towards the end of winter into early spring, before the grass begins to green up. Cool-season grasses, such as bluegrass, can be power raked in the early fall as long as the grass has time to recover before winter. Power raking outside of these times can potentially damage your lawn by removing living turf during growing season. We offer this service in the spring as this is the best practice for our climate region.
Benefits of Power Raking
- Increases the effectiveness of fertilizers, watering, and pest control.
- Promotes a thicker and healthier lawn.
- Allows for new grass growth.
Let the Pros Handle the Raking
Contact us to schedule a power rake session as a one-time service or on a recurring yearly basis. Our specialists will keep your lawn healthy and beautiful.