Every so often there’s a new buzz word that pops up in the lawn care industry. Right now, that seems to be a service called lawn scarifying. In fact, lawn scarifying vs dethatching is a trending search term online.
So what is dethatching vs. scarifying and which service do you really need? Is scarifying the same as dethatching?
Spoiler alert…you don’t need either of these services!
In this article, we’ll explain more about dethatching and scarifying and why neither of these services are good for your lawn.
Is Scarifying the Same as Dethatching?
Both scarifying and dethatching have the same objective, which is to remove debris (or “thatch”) from the lawn. Thatch is the organic layer made up of dead and living stems which naturally occurs on the lawn. It builds up between the surface of the soil and the bottom of the grass blades. A little bit of thatch is okay. The trouble starts when a half-inch or more of this layer has collected in your lawn.
The difference between dethatching vs scarifying is the intensity at which this removal process occurs. Whereas dethatching uses metal prongs to scrape the ground, scarifying cuts much deeper into the lawn and actually removes thick layers of turf.
The trouble with both of these services is that they can be really destructive to your turf, pulling up not only thatch but a significant layer of healthy grass as well.
We’ve written previously on why dethatching is not good for your lawn. Since scarifying is even more intense, and will likely damage even more turf, it is definitely not a service we would recommend.
Is Thatch Really That Big of a Deal?
You might be wondering whether you really need to worry that much about thatch. As we mentioned, it’s not a big deal to have a mild layer of thatch. Most lawns have it. But when thatch starts to build up (over an half inch), it can become a problem.
For one, excess thatch may increase the likelihood of pest problems by harboring insect populations. It may also make your lawn more prone to turf disease, because the thatch layer remains moist and dark (an ideal environment for fungus growth).
And because a dense layer of thatch can absorb any application done to the yard, its presence can reduce the effectiveness of various lawn care treatments. For example, your fertilizer or grub control materials won’t do much good if they are caught up in a thick layer of thatch instead of reaching down to the root zone where they are needed.
Thatch build-up can also impact the overall health of your lawn by making it difficult for oxygen and water to penetrate through its layers into the soil. The key to healthy turf is healthy roots and soil, but roots must first have those elements reach them in order to thrive.
So, yes, thatch can definitely be a problem if you have too much of it. But if you can’t dethatch or scarify the lawn, what can you do?
The answer is aerate, which we’ll talk about next.
How Aeration Addresses Thatch and Promotes Healthy Soil
The best way to improve the health of your lawn and reduce thatch is with lawn aeration. This service involves pulling cores of soil around the lawn and leaving them on the ground where they will decompose. The holes and the natural decomposition process helps to loosen the soil which in turn permits more oxygen to penetrate down into the root zone.
These improved conditions also allow the abundance of beneficial, naturally occurring microorganisms in the soil helps to decompose the excessive thatch layer at a faster rate. It’s a healthier and more natural way to address thatch without tearing up your lawn.
While a service like dethatching or scarifying only removes the thatch layer (plus healthy grass along with it) and does nothing to the overall health of our lawn, aeration will improve your lawn as a whole.
Beyond its effect on the thatch layer, aeration supports better soil health. Improved soil structure allows for stronger, thicker root growth, the necessary foundation for a healthy lawn. In addition, when an overseeding is performed at the time of the aeration, the process can generate better seed-to-soil contact, giving those seedlings the best possible chance to survive and thrive.
One of the benefits of overseeding a lawn is that you’re also adding new, more resilient grass. This is important in the fight against thatch as some grass types are more prone to it than others. While many lawns in our region have some Bluegrass in them (highly prone to thatch), we are overseeding with Turf Type Tall Fescue, which is more resilient to problems.
Making Your Wise Choice in Lawn Care Services in Cincinnati, Dayton, OH and Northern Kentucky
We know you have to make many decisions when it comes to your lawn. But in the question of dethatching vs scarifying, it should be an easy "no" to both options. They are ultimately going to do more harm than good.
What you really want to choose is lawn aeration. We recommend hiring a professional for this service, as DIY lawn aeration can come with many setbacks and problems.
Lawn care can sometimes feel overwhelming, but we are here to help.
At Oasis Turf & Tree, we are always available to answer your questions, including those related to the best way to get rid of thatch. Given the turf and soil conditions in our region, lawn aeration is not only the most effective way to eliminate thatch, but it is also one of the best things you can do to improve your lawn’s health, and that’s why we recommend aeration as a valuable component of any comprehensive lawn care program.
If you’d like to find out more about our lawn care programs including a lawn aeration service for your Cincinnati, Dayton, Ohio, or Northern Kentucky home, give us a call at 513-697-9090 or contact us for a free estimate.
Image Sources: dethatching