If you were wondering whether you can dethatch and aerate your lawn at the same time, the answer is “yes.” But it largely depends on the health and condition of your lawn, your grass type, and the time of year.
Why you should dethatch and aerate at the same time
Having a healthy lawn takes more than mowing, watering, and fertilizing. It also means dethatching and aerating periodically.
Dethatching removes the thatch layer (dead grass, roots, and other organic material) that builds up on the soil surface and blocks the grass’ access to air, water, and nutrients.
Aeration makes holes in the soil to alleviate compacted soil, improve air flow, prevent runoff, enhance nutrient and moisture retention, and maintain healthy roots.
It is possible to dethatch and aerate at the same time, and it’s generally preferred. If you are doing both, always dethatch to clear debris before aerating. The benefits of doing both at the same time include:
- Healthier grass: Both these processes allow air, water, and nutrients to move toward the grassroots. Removing thatch helps new grass fill in patches for a thick, lush, vibrant lawn.
- More efficiency: With thatch out of the way, aeration is easier because the soil is already exposed.
- Less effort: Instead of scheduling two separate treatments, you can do it all in one go, making your lawn care routine faster.
When you can dethatch and aerate at the same time
If you’re considering doing both dethatching and aerating, make sure you understand the best timing for each.
Ideally, you should dethatch first to expose the soil. Wait about a week (or a few days if a week is too long) and follow up with aeration to improve root access to air, water, and nutrients and relieve soil compaction.
Now, let’s move on to when it’s okay to perform these tasks together:
Your lawn is healthy
If your lawn is healthy and has a light thatch layer (less than ½ inch for warm-season grasses, less than ⅓ inch for cool-season grasses), combining dethatching and aeration can reduce compaction and help your grass grow healthy roots.
On the other hand, performing both tasks on grass that is already struggling due to poor growth, drought, disease, or pests can be a big mistake.
“Don’t remove thatch when turf is weak or under heat or drought stress. Doing so increases the chance of injury and decreases recovery potential,” says Peter Landschoot, former Professor of Turfgrass Science at Pennsylvania State University. This goes hand in hand with aeration, which you should also avoid until your turfgrass is back on track and growing vigorously during its active growth phase (see below).
It’s the ideal time of year for your grass type
If you want to dethatch and aerate your lawn at the same time, you should do it during your grass’ peak growth phase.
For cool-season grasses, this means dethatching and aerating in early spring or early fall when temperatures are mild and there’s enough moisture. As this is their peak growth phase, they can quickly recover from the stress of dethatching and aeration.
Warm-season grasses actively grow in late spring or early summer, which is when you should dethatch and aerate. Thanks to added sunlight and warmer weather, the grass can better handle these invasive, stressful tasks.
Read more about spring and fall lawn care:
FAQ about dethatching and aerating at the same time
What type of equipment do I need for dethatching and aeration?
For dethatching, you can use:
- A manual rake with sharp, curved tines to pull up thatch. It’s best for small areas and mild thatch.
- A power dethatcher with vertical blades to cut into the thatch and pull it up for collection. It’s the ideal choice for larger lawns or heavy thatch.
For aeration, you can use:
- A spike aerator, a tool with spikes that makes holes by pushing the soil down. While it’s easy to use, it can increase compaction, so it doesn’t provide good long-term results.
- A core aerator, a machine that actually removes small plugs of soil from the lawn to improve air, water, and nutrient uptake. Core aerators can work wonders with lawn health, which is why many people prefer them.
Where can I rent or purchase dethatching and aeration equipment?
Dethatching and aeration tools are easy to rent or purchase if you prefer DIY lawn care. Whether you want to rent or buy your equipment, look into the following:
- Garden centers
- Nurseries
- Home improvement stores
- Online stores or platforms
- Equipment rental companies
How much does lawn dethatching cost?
Professional lawn dethatching can cost anywhere from $145 to $247 per hour, but most homeowners will spend an average of $170 per hour. The cost depends on the weather, how much thatch you have, your lawn size, and your location.
Keep your lawn vibrant and healthy
Dethatching and aeration are important for your grass, but they take time and effort.
If your yard is large, your soil is compacted, or your thatch is thick, it’s worth hiring a local lawn care expert to save you the hassle. Plus, Lawn Love can connect you to pros who provide other services, such as fertilization, mowing, leaf removal, and weed control.
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