When homeowners need to improve air circulation in their lawns, they usually come to a decision between two different tools: dethatcher vs aerator. Both tools are essential to maintaining healthy grass lawn aeration, but in different ways.
To help you understand the difference between dethatchers and aerators, here is a basic guide to help:
Dethatchers are tools used to pull up the accumulation of “thatch,” or dead organic matter underneath the grass. Dethatching allows water, air and nutrients to reach the soil to help the living grass.
There are multiple dethatching tools you can use, including rakes, power rakes and verticutters.
An aerator is any tool used to dig holes into the soil to improve lawn aeration. By piercing a few inches deep into the ground, aerators reduce soil compaction, so water, nutrients and air can get to the lawn’s roots.
Many devices can be used to aerate a lawn. There are engine powered aerators, push aerators and aerators you can tow behind you. For smaller spaces, you can also use special aerator shoes similar to soccer cleats.
While both dethatching and aerating are keys to maintaining a healthy lawn, different scenarios require different tools. For example, aerating is best for when you have extremely compacted soil. One common sign of soil compaction is poor drainage - if water accumulates on the soil surface instead of absorbing quickly, the lawn might benefit from aerating.
Dethatching, however, is useful when you have at least an inch of dead grass and debris hindering your lawn’s health. If your lawn seems dull or pale, you might have a thatch layer suffocating the grass’ roots.
Timing is also important in deciding whether you need to aerate or dethatch. The best time to use an aerator is in the early spring or fall during mild temperatures. Prime dethatching time is late winter, after plenty of dead grass and organic matter has had time to accumulate.
Lawn aeration and dethatching are both important aspects of lawn care. While you can accomplish both tasks on your own, there are professionals to help, especially where particularly compacted soil is concerned. Consider a lawn aeration service or dethatching service to assist with large properties and especially thick thatch layers.
Nicolette is a full-time licensed real estate agent working with residential and commercial buyers, sellers, and renters. Growing up in Eastchester, graduating from Marist College and branching out to Manhattan before returning to her roots has created deep ties to Westchester while understanding what a NYC buyer wants when relocating to the suburbs.
Bringing nearly a decade of extensive experience in sales, interior design, marketing, and customer service from her Manhattan career while working with esteemed companies such as Elle Décor Magazine and various companies under the Herman Miller brand, Nicolette encompasses an effective fusion of suburban warmth and city tenacity. Her enthusiasm for helping others combined with her determination to close deals helps her simultaneously connect her with clients on a personal level while conducting business in the most professional of ways. It’s this connection that leads to a seamless and successful Real Estate transaction.
When not working, Nicolette enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and puppy. Professionally, she prides herself using those same personal values of loyalty, honesty, attentiveness, and being detail-oriented. She values all client relationships and makes it her goal to provide exceptional service and guaranteed satisfaction. Her intimate knowledge of the area, having lived in Westchester all her life, gives her enthusiasm and a desire to make her home, your home.
In July 2015, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services (BHHS) acquired Tri-Crest Realty and Prudential Centennial Realty and has been one of the most successful offices in lower Westchester County since 2000. With over 1,800 Realtors in 55 offices in the Northeast and 51,600 agents in 1,600 offices in 47 states nationally, BHHS is the #2 company in Barron’s ranking of the world’s most respected companies; ranking #3 in Fortune Magazine’s 50 Most Admired Companies survey.