Dethatching Information

While dethatching and lawn aeration both benefit lawn health, they are different processes, and you should treat them as such. Both of these practices help fertilizer, water, oxygen, and essential nutrients reach plant roots; however, they use different tools and different approaches to achieve this.

Aeration breaks down compacted soil by punching holes into the soil, allowing roots to access nutrients. Dethatching, on the other hand, reduces organic matter and removes layers of dead grass and other debris from the top layer of the soil. Aeration is done with high-power aerating machines, while dethatching uses a rake or specialized lawn cutter.

Dethatching has a lot of benefits for your lawn. The process removes weeds, thatch, and unwanted material from the turf, leaving you with a fresh canvas. Our dethatching process includes the following:

• Removal of heavy excess thatch from the top of the grass roots
• A two-step sequence, where we make diagonal passes to optimize thatch removal
• Collected material gets removed off-site to a composting facility

Call DeRosa Landscaping to learn more about our dethatching process and how your lawn can benefit from our services.

As mentioned, too much thatch on your lawn harms the health of the plants and grass, but a certain amount of thatch is considered beneficial. A small layer of debris can help protect your lawn from the elements, like extreme weather conditions and temperatures. In fact, appropriate amounts of thatch can save up to a pound of fertilizer annually.

However, if the layer of thatch becomes too thick, it can suffocate the roots. Dethatching allows you to maintain a healthy layer of thatch while removing excess debris that affects the health of your lawn. If the layer of thatch on your lawn is over half an inch, it's time to consider dethatching.

Yes, dethatching revives dead grass by exposing the roots to sunlight, water, air, and nutrients. This process encourages plant growth and improves the health of the grass, bringing it back to life. It's an essential practice to keep your lawn green and healthy, and it can give your lawn new life.

After dethatching, your lawn is delicate, so it's important to minimize the traffic crossing your turf and avoid walking on it for a few days to allow the roots to recover more easily without the added stress of compacted soil that results from walking across the lawn.

If you want to discuss your dethatching needs, we recommend meeting with a lawn care specialist. Call DeRosa Landscaping today to get started. We're eager to help.