What Is Verticutting and How Does It Compare to Aerating?

Your grass naturally sheds stems, roots, rhizomes, and other organic matter. Over time, this organic waste, known as thatch, can build up as a layer between your healthy grass and the soil. Some thatch can help moderate soil temperature and retain moisture. However, once a layer of thatch becomes too thick, it can block essential nutrients from reaching your grass. The answer to your thatch woes could be a process called verticutting.

What Is Verticutting?

Verticutting isn’t as well known as dethatching, but it can be an excellent way to remove excess thatch on your lawn. Known as “verticle mowing,” a verticutter’s blades rotate perpendicular to the surface of the soil. As the machine moves across the lawn, the blades slice through the thatch layer and pull it up, making it easy to collect and remove.

The beauty of the verticutter is that it won’t harm your lawn. It’s also simple and efficient to use. Alternatively, you can also use a rake to pull up layers of thatch. Another option is to buy or rent a dethatching machine.

The Benefits of Verticutting Grass

Getting rid of heavy layers of thatch through verticutting can boost your lawn’s health and longevity.

Improves Nutrient Absorption

Your grass needs water, oxygen, and important nutrients to thrive. A thick thatch layer can block these critical elements from reaching the soil and roots. Verticutting removes the thatch, allowing easier absorption of these nutrients.

Improves Soil Conditions

Soil compaction is very common with thatch buildup. Verticutting lightly penetrates the top layer of soil, helping to break up compacted soil and improve aeration and water infiltration.

Strengthens Root Systems

Thatch can make it difficult for grass roots to build strong, deep root systems. Verticutting promotes root growth, which helps the grass better handle drought, foot traffic, and other stressors in turn.

Helps Prevent Pests and Diseases

Acting like a sponge, thatch retains moisture and creates an ideal breeding ground for pests and fungal diseases. Verticutting eliminates this welcome mat, making it harder for pests and diseases to thrive on your lawn.

Verticutting vs Aerating: Key Differences

Both practices are crucial to protecting the long-term health of your lawn, but they’re actually quite different. Verticutting removes excess thatch from your lawn, while aeration is a method of punching holes in your soil, relieving compaction and improving the flow of water, oxygen, and other nutrients.

Verticutting and aeration can work in tandem. You won’t get much value from aerating if a thick layer of thatch is swallowing your lawn. You’ll end up putting holes in the thatch instead of the soil. Performing verticutting before aeration can give you better results for your efforts.

When to Verticut Your Lawn

The best time to verticut is while your grass is actively growing. The timing will depend on whether you have cool-season grass or warm-season grass. For warm-season grasses like Bermuda, zoysia, or St. Augustine, verticut in the late spring or early summer. For cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, or ryegrass, verticut in the early spring or early fall.

Avoid verticutting grass that is already stressed or weak, as it can further stress your lawn and slow its recovery.

Choose Expert Help to Verticut Your Grass

Need to desperately dethatch your lawn but aren’t sure how to verticut your grass? The Ground Guys® can help. Contact us, and one of our local teams will be happy to assess your lawn. They can determine if you have an unhealthy amount of thatch and recommend a dethatching solution, whether or not that is verticutting.

We don’t stop there. We also offer a large range of lawn care services, including seasonal services like aeration and fertilization. Almost any seasonal service will show better results after verticutting. Contact your local The Grounds Guys team. You won’t just get knowledge and experience when you work with us. You’ll also get our Neighborly Done Right Promise™.

Ready to try verticutting? You don’t have to buy or rent expensive equipment. Just request a free estimate from The Grounds Guys.