Why Power Raking and Lawn Aeration Are Good for Your Lawn

Calgary Lawn Care Tips - Power Raking Calgary

A lush green lawn is a dream of every homeowner who seeks to make their home better and more attractive. But no matter how much effort you put in mowing, the grass and the plants won't grow well if the soil cannot breathe. Here power raking and lawn aeration can help restore the lost health of your lawn. If you are confused about these terms, then let us guide you on what these processes are, why you need them, and how to carry them out.

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Power Raking

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After a harsh winter, the lawn gets covered by the bulk of dead and living grass. It happens when the turf hosts the amassment of organic debris, which cannot be dealt with conventional lawn treatments. Most of the bulk consists of the parts of plants that are resistant to decomposing — roots, crowns, stems. It would continue to grow at a rapid rate and impede the growth of new and already existing grass and plants.

There's a common misconception among lawn enthusiasts that even the grass clipping contributes to thatch, which is not entirely true. Most of the time, the grass leftovers fell prey to soil microbes.

Here a few factors that responsible for its immense build-up:


Some species of grass are less immune to its production.


Excessive rhizome and root growth caused by certain fungicides.


The decrease of the earthworm population due to insecticides.


Overuse of fertilizers can cause thatch build-up.


Soil acidity also plays a vital role in its production.

Is Thatch Harmful Always?

A small amount of it is good for the lawn. It acts as a barricade against drastic moisture variation and an insulation shield against harsh temperature variations. But any thatch layer more than half-inch thickness is disastrous to your lawn.
Problems Caused by Thatch

You will be stunned to know that it can trigger the slow death of everything on your lawn. It heats up and dries rapidly, and that is how It causes long-lasting root damage. Without healthy roots, the grass would never thrive.

Furthermore, during rainy seasons, it stockpiles a good deal of moisture that causes the roots to rot. It becomes unfeasible to use lawnmower due to an uneven surface. Its wheels would sink in the moist thatch layers causing an irregular cutting of the grass.

Also, if these layers have been there in your lawn for a long time, then there is a risk of a drastic increase in disease-causing insects and other organisms.

Solution for Thatch — Power Raking

It is done by a machine which has slender knife blades attached beneath. These blades help remove the thatch which has been killing your lawn. The spinning blades make sure enough organic built-up debris is removed from the crust so that the soil can breathe again.

Here are a few benefits of power raking Calgary :

After the removal of the thatch layer, the roots can access the nutritious soil. It will cause the grass to grow faster.


You would be able to spot the areas of the lawn where replanting is required.


The roots will have access to plenty of water, which increases the survival rate of the plants.


Removing thatch also means that you are getting rid of the home of some disease-causing insects and organisms.


The risk of bacterial and fungal disease reduces dramatically.


The color of the plants would turn more radiant.


In the rainy season, the water will not amass; rather, it will soak easily into the soil.

It should be done in the early spring season just before the new growth emerges. This way, the raking will not cause any damage to the fresh and sensitive plants. During spring, which is the growing season, the plants can withstand severe injuries, and the recovery rate is relatively faster than in any season.

One more thing that you should keep in mind is that the process should be run when the soil is dry. Otherwise, the results will not be as expected, and the machine would rip out the plants as the grass doesn't hold well in wet conditions. Also, make sure it is not too dry, or the brittle grass will break.

You will notice that after power raking, the growth of the lawn has stimulated. But too much power raking can kill your plants by messing up the roots.
Aeration
What Is Soil Compaction?

The soil particles have natural spaces that regulate the water and nutrients among plants. But over time, densification occurs, and the particles come close together, giving out a solid feel. This happens when the water and air are removed from those spaces. Due to this reduction in space, your lawn suffers from unhealthiness. As a result, the population of plants would considerably decrease.

Averagely, the compaction only exists a few millimeters beneath the surface of the turf. But due to unnatural causes (use of heavy machinery), the depth of compaction can reach up to 300 mm.
Identification of Soil Compaction

You don’t require any special equipment for its identification. By keeping an eye on these signs would be enough.


Loss of dense turf: Eventually, the grass will thin out, and the plants will lose their lush green appearance.


Water accumulation: If after rain, the water stays on the surface for a long time, then it is a clear indication of compaction.
Solution for Soil Compaction — Aeration

To get stronger and more vigorous lawn, aeration is essential — it is a process to dig holes into the soil to let air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots. As a result, the roots can grow deeper without any hindrance. It would alleviate the troublesome compaction by restoring the steady circulation of moisture and oxygen. It also helps to get rid of some of the thatch layers.

Just like power raking, the best time for aeration is the early spring. In this season, the sustained injuries would heal fast, and the plants would regrow easily. The most commonly used tools for aeration are spike aerator and a plug aerato