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| I’m confused, should I power rake or aerate? |
| Power rakes and lawn aerators are not substitutes for each other though lawns do experience some common benefits. A power rake removes excess organic debris from the lawn. Lawn aerators are meant to reduce soil compaction and improve grass root development. |
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| What is thatch? |
| Thatch is a layer of semi-decomposed grass and other organic material that accumulates above the soil faster than Mother Nature can absorb it. Thatch build-up is a normal occurrence and is not necessarily harmful to the lawn until it gets too thick. Poor mulching mower performance can be a big contributor to thatch build-up. |
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| Why should I worry about thatch? |
| Thatch forms a barrier between soil and the water, nutrients and air required for a healthy lawn. It may also serve as a perfect breeding ground for damaging lawn diseases. |
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| How can I tell if I need to power rake? |
| If thatch is more than ½ thick, you should consider using a power rake. Take a core sample of grass and soil from your lawn. Measure the organic material sitting on the surface of the soil. If should not exceed ½”. Check several areas of your lawn, as build-up can be irregular. |
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| When should I power rake? |
| For cool season grasses, power raking is recommended in early fall or spring. Warm season grasses are better in late spring to early summer. Because a power rake does damage some healthy grass, it is important to power rake with enough growing season left for your lawn to recover. At least 30 days of growing season should be available following power raking for successful results. |
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| How do I get the best results from the power rake? |
| Soil should be moist, but not too wet. If the soil is too wet the grass could pull away. Best results are achieved when working in two directions. Adjust the depth of the flails under the power rake so that they make contact with and remove thatch. The flails should not make contact with the soil. Rake up thatch immediately or use the Billy Goat KD or SV vacuum to make quick work of cleanup. |
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