What's the difference between Dethatching and Scarifying? – Shop Joe

	Dethatching
Uses	Removing thatch Aerating the lawn	Removing thatch and debris from above and below the soil Aerating the lawn Frees plant roots to encourage growth
When to Use	Lawn is actively growing and soil is moderately moist If thatch is an inch thick or more	Late Spring and early Autumn Once or twice a year After mowing the lawn
Pros	Removes thatch that prevents water and nutrients from reaching the soil Promotes grass growth Prevents mold, mildew, moss, and fungi Regulates temperature and moisture	Removes thatch that prevents water and nutrients from reaching the soil Prevents mold, mildew, moss, and fungi Discourages weed growth Removes the boucy/spongy feel in your lawn
Cons	Dethatching a dormant lawn can damage the grass Only for above soil thatch/debris removal	Your lawn will not look very pretty for a few days while the lawn and soil recovers Scarifying too often can cause damage to your lawn

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