If your lawn isn’t bouncing back the way it should—looking dull, thinning out, or just not soaking up water like it used to—it might be time to take a closer look at what’s happening below the surface. Aeration and dethatching are ways to help your lawn breathe, grow, and stay strong, but they’re often confused. Here’s how to tell the difference and know if your lawn could use both.
What Is Dethatching?
Thatch is the layer of dead grass, roots, and organic matter that builds up between your soil and the grass blades. A little thatch is normal and helpful, but it blocks water, air, and nutrients from reaching the soil when it gets too thick.
Dethatching removes that excess layer, usually with a specialized rake or power dethatcher. It clears out the gunk sitting on your lawn so everything underneath can function like it should.
When to Dethatch:
- You can see or feel a spongy layer underfoot
- Water runs off instead of soaking in
- Your grass looks healthy on top, but weak underneath
Dethatching is best done in the spring or early fall when the lawn can recover quickly.
What Is Core Aeration?
Core aeration is a different process entirely. Instead of clearing out surface buildup, it targets compacted soil. By pulling out small plugs of dirt, aeration opens up your lawn so roots can stretch deeper and nutrients can reach the places they need to go.
When to Aerate:
- The soil feels hard or compacted
- Grass is thinning or growing unevenly
- You notice puddling after rain
- You have clay-heavy soil or high foot traffic
A good lawn core aeration service helps reverse these issues and improve your lawn’s overall health.
When You Might Need Both
Sometimes, a lawn needs a double dose of help. If you’ve got both a thick thatch layer and compacted soil, tackling both issues—dethatching and then aerating—can be the reset your lawn needs. Dethatching first clears the surface so your core aeration service can go deeper and be more effective. Together, they set your lawn up for long-term success.
Let Turf’s Up Handle the Heavy Lifting
Turf’s Up has your back if your lawn shows signs of stress and you’re unsure where to start! Whether thatch, compaction, or both, our team can revive tired lawns with the right timing and approach. Ready for the results you can see? Reach out to us today to schedule your aeration and give your yard the room to thrive.
