Lawn Dethatching
Dethatching also known as power raking is nothing more than removing the matted layer of dead grass that accumulates between the soil surface and the good green grass blades. Over time, it forms a thick layer, limiting water, nutrients, and air from reaching the root system. A thick thatch layer is known to provide the perfect environment that can encourage pests and diseases. The process of dethatching is hard on turf, so the ideal time to tackle this chore is during the spring and fall due to the cooler temperatures.
How do I know if i need dethatching?
Thatch build up is most of the times easily visible at close inspection, if your lawn feels spongy or bouncy underfoot, your lawn needs dethatching. To make sure, run a garden rake through the grass, if you are able to rake dead grass blades, debris or thatch build up, its time to dethatch your lawn.
Dethatching gallery
What causes thatch build up?
The primary reasons for thatch to accumulate are applying heavy nitrogen fertilizer applications and excessive watering which causes lawns to grow excessively fast. Turfgrass stems and roots accumulates faster than they breakdown. Another reason thatch starts to build up is poor quality soils, and soil compaction.
Benefits of dethatching
- Removes the matted layer of dead grass in your lawn
- Allows water, air, and nutrients to better reach the grass root system
- Reduces pests and diseases
- Improves drainage
- Increase grass tolerance to heat and drought stress
- improves fertilizer uptake
- Improves color and lawn density if combined with overseeding and seed starter fertilizer
On average (8k sq ft), we collect 4-6 32 gallon cans of thatch debris.
Dethatching service details
We offer this service in the spring and fall only. Service normally takes around 1-2 hours depending on property size and includes power raking the lawn, collecting and disposing of all debris resulted from dethatching. Power raking strength / deepness will be determined by the crew based on your lawn condition. We will safely remove the most possible thatch without damaging your existing good grass.
Dethatching Service Area
Joliet, Plainfield, Naperville, Aurora, Oswego, Shorewood, Minooka, Channahon, Crest Hill, Romeoville, Bolingbrook, Woodridge, Lockport, Lemont, Homer Glen, Orland Park, Mokena, Frankfort, New Lenox and Manhattan.
To prepare your lawn for dethatching, please mark your sprinklers heads, underground wires, electric fence, or any area that you do not want to be dethatched. Mow your lawn short 1 – 2 days before dethatching for better results.
How to avoid thatch accumulation?
There are some preventive measurements that can help you reduce thatch build up in your lawn. Firstly, do not over fertilize your lawn with high amounts of nitrogen, do not over-water your lawn, mow your lawn every week, improve your soil ph by spreading compost or a high quality soil mixture, if you do not know you soil ph, contact us and we can take samples of your soil and send them to the lab for testing (we charge a small fee for soil testing).
What should I do after dethatching my lawn?
We recommend to overseed your lawn with a high quality grass seed ( a 50/50 grass seed mixture is recommended for the midwest) to encourage new grass growth followed by a seed starter / fertilizer application (We use a NPK ratio 12-24-8 for seed starter). We can provide this services for you, easily order online or request a free no obligation quote .
Are you ready to schedule power rake / dethatching services?
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