Thatch
Thatch occurs when grass roots become so dense that there is no room for growth underneath the soil. When this happens the roots are forced to grow on top of the lawn which strangles the grass and keeps nutrients from getting to the soil. Clayton offers two approaches to dealing with thatch, Core Aeration & Dethatching. While either by themselves can be very beneficial, when done together and combined with seed and fertilization, they can offer a comprehensive approach to revitalizing your lawn.
Core Aeration
Core Aeration is the process by which an Aerator (top left) punches through the thatch and pulls out plugs 2-4 inches long, leaving room for nutrients like water and fertilizer to get into the soil. The added space also allows cramped roots to spread out adding to the thickness and overall vitality of your lawn. Clayton, unlike many competitors, waits until the best possible time to aerate, which is right after a nice, soaking rain, and he always cleans up the leftover plugs from your driveway and sidewalk.
Overseeding & Fertilization
After an aeration is the perfect time to overseed and apply a starter fertilizer to help your lawn grow thicker and greener. Both products are designed specificially for Ohio lawns. Fertilzer comes in regular and organic.
Dethatching
While some thatch can actually help your lawn hold in moisture, too much can strangle it. Dethaching is the process of scraping out the right amount of thatch using a mechanical dethathcer (middle above). After dethatching has completed the waste is raked up and hauled away. A starter fertilizer is highly recommended after a dethatching to help your lawn to recover properly.