As we head into the summer months and growing season, are you ready to create a beautiful lawn at your Wisconsin home? Then let’s talk about dethatching and aeration services and how they can help you grow a lush lawn. Here’s how to get your Midwest lawn in shape for summer just by performing some basic tasks.

Lawn Dethatching

Thatch is a layer of dead vegetation that lies on top of the soil of your lawn. It is naturally occurring and is made up of dead grass, undecomposed stems, plants, and roots. Thatch is a problem for your lawn for several reasons. It is difficult for water to penetrate a thick thatch layer and so the water will run off instead of soaking in. Thatch can harbor insects and lawn diseases. The grass may begin growing in the thatch layer instead of the soil, producing shallow root systems and exposing it to greater temperature extremes.

If the thatch layer gets to be more than about 1/2 inch thick, it becomes unhealthy for your grass. If your lawn has excessive thatch, it could be caused by acidic soil, too much fertilization, or pesticides. A professional lawn care provider in Wisconsin can test the soil and give you an analysis of the problem. The process of removing this top layer of dead vegetation is called dethatching. You can remove it manually with a thatching rake or with a vertical mower. The best time to dethatch your lawn is when it is actively growing, and the soil is moderately moist. For cool-season grasses, that’s early spring or early fall.

Lawn Aeration

Aeration means punching holes throughout your lawn to about 3 inches deep. But why would you need to aerate the lawn? Over time the soil beneath the grass becomes compacted. When grass is walked on, such as during mowing or children playing on it, the pressure compacts the soil. Compacted soil results in decreased air circulation, water drainage problems, and decreased nutrient absorption. Beneficial soil organisms such as earthworms cannot penetrate compacted soil. Aerating the lawn will loosen up the soil and provide better air circulation. Water will be able to soak into the ground, allowing grass to absorb both water and nutrients. Soil organisms will be able to establish and help break down thatch build-up. The result will be a healthier, greener lawn that will be stronger to defend against heat, disease, and drought.

You should aerate your lawn about once a year in early spring or fall. If you have a small lawn, you may be able to do the job yourself using a handheld garden fork. For larger lawns, consider renting an aerating machine, or hiring a lawn care professional in Wisconsin to do the work.

Wisconsin Lawn Services from Createscape Landscaping Service

Need help with dethatching and aerating your lawn? We’ve got you covered! At Createscape Landscaping Service, we create and maintain beautiful, healthy lawns that add curb appeal and value to your home. Our strong commitment to superior service and extreme quality has solidified us as one of the best landscaping companies in Southeastern Wisconsin. Here are some of the services we provide:

Aeration and Dethatching
Mowing
Weed Control and Fertilizer Applications
Disease and Insect Control
Seasonal Pruning and Clean-ups
Weeding
Mulch Installation
Mosquito Control
Emerald Ash Borer Treatments

Let’s talk about your property and discover what we can do for your home! Call our office to schedule a
consultation, or to have your questions answered by our staff.

Createscape Landscaping Service
(262) 662-0201
createscapelandscaping.com