A lot of gardeners believe that the only secret to a healthy lawn is mowing. But in fact, it’s much more than that. Another essential part of any lawn care is detaching and aerating.

And if the mowing is mostly a pretty understandable action, a lot of people, especially those with no experience, have trouble understanding the difference between dethatching and aerating. And that doesn’t just stop at the process, since the dethatcher and aerator machines are also a mystery to some. 

So what is it about these processes that are so important, and why people might get confused? Well then, to determine the major difference between dethatching vs aerating, we must first understand what these 2 processes are.

What is Meant by Dethatching?

Dethatching is the process that helps you remove the thick layer of thatch. The latter is a layer of dead stems, roots e.t.c that gets stuck between the grass and prevent the soil from getting nutrients, like water and sun. However do keep in mind that thatch must be on the soil to protect it, but only in moderate amounts.

When is Dethatching Lawn Necessary?

As mentioned earlier, dethatching is very important but only when there’s too much thatch on you. So when you see that the thatch has taken over more than ½ of your lawn – it’s time to grab that dethatcher.

When Should You Dethatch the Lawn?

Generally, when you need to dethatch depends on the region you live in. So if you live in a warmer climate, it’s best to start detaching by the end of spring-beginning of summer. However, if you live in a cold, northern climate, the best time to dethatch would be the end of summer and the beginning of fall.

Also, keep in mind that you must complete this process before fertilization because the fertilizers work best on dethatched soil. Also, you must overseed the soil only after the process of dethatching is complete. This will help make your garden stronger and healthier.

What is Meant by Aerating?

Aeration is a lawn process that helps you to get rid of small soil plugs so that your garden soil can breathe freely. The aeration helps the soil to become pressure-free and positively affects the root growth.

When is Aerating Lawn Necessary?

The lawn soil often becomes stiff and compacted due to the pressure, gravity, and weight of various substances that get accumulated on it over time. And since it harms the plants, it’s a good idea to start aerating as soon as possible. Moreover, this process will boost the overall health of your soil and enhance the growth of the plants.

When Should You Aerate the Lawn?

The time of aerating a lawn depends a lot on the soil type. For sandy soil, the best tine to aerate is spring. And also make sure that the soil temperature has not crossed 55°F. Overall, your lawn must be aerated at least thrice a year. 

If you would aerate during the fall, then the thatches will decompose better and increase the grass lifespan.

Comparison Between Dethatching vs Aerating

There are a few basic differences between dethatching vs aerating differences that you must know.

Dethatching	Aerating
This process helps you remove the extra layer of thatch from the lawn.	This process helps you remove the soil plugs and reduce the pressure.
With this process, the water and soil nutrients reach the plant roots better than before.	It is beneficial for the root system of the plants as it improves soil drainage, air, and nutrient flow.
It must be carried out during the springtime.	The time of year when this process should be carried out depends solely on the soil type.
A piece of equipment called a dethatcher is used for carrying out this lawn care process.	The process is carried out by a piece of equipment called an aerator.

Comparison Between Dethatcher vs. Aerator

Now, let’s take a look at how different are the dethatcher vs aerator:

Dethatcher	Aerator
This machine does the job of removing the extra layer of thatch and allowing the soil to relax.	This machine digs small holes in the garden to loosen the soil plugs and reduce the pressure created by them.
The dethatcher helps in preparing the topsoil for the process of overseeding.	The aerator isn’t of much help when it comes to overseeding.
The machine works brilliantly over dead grass.	The machine works well on a thick layer of thatch.

What should be done First: Dethatching or Aeration?

Now that we cleared out the difference between dethatch vs aerate the biggest question is: what comes first? Well, it is always recommended that you dethatch first before aerating your lawn. This will help you enhance the root performance of the plants and prepare them for further lawn care. So grab the dethatcher to do the job and only then proceed next.

Is it Important to Dethatch or Aerate before Overseeding?

Before overseeding, you must dethatch first. That will allow the soil to get proper air and nutrients flow. Once you remove the thatches, the seeds can germinate a lot easier. And while overseeding, it is totally up to you whether or not you want to aerate the soil.

Final Word

And that’s petty much all there is to know about dethatching vs aerating. As you can see, both of these are rather different processes, but very essential for your lawn’s health and beauty. So always make sure to follow these procedures, and you can take pride in not only your hard work, just your majestic green corner as well! So best of luck, and feel free to let us know if you have some dethatching or aerating tips you wish to share! We would love to learn from you too!