Quick Answer: Does Your Fort McMurray Lawn Need Power Raking?
You only need power raking if you have a heavy thatch layer—usually more than 1/2 inch thick. Many lawns don’t need it every year.
You might need power raking if:
- The lawn feels spongy underfoot
- You see a thick brown layer between soil and grass blades
- Water and fertilizer sit on top instead of soaking in
- Grass looks thin and weak even though you fertilize and water
What Is Thatch?
Thatch is:
- A layer of dead and living stems, roots, and crowns
- Found between the soil and green grass blades
A thin layer (under 1/2 inch) is normal and healthy. It cushions the lawn and protects roots.
Too much thatch:
- Blocks water, air, and nutrients
- Encourages disease and insects
- Causes shallow, weak roots
How to Check Thatch Depth
- Cut a small plug of turf about 2–3 inches deep.
- Look for the spongy brown layer between soil and green grass.
- Measure it:
- Less than 1/2 inch: usually fine → no power raking needed.
- More than 1/2 inch: consider power raking or other dethatching.
Why Fort McMurray Lawns Get Thatch
- Over‑fertilizing, especially with high nitrogen
- Certain grass types that spread aggressively
- Low biological activity in compacted or poor soils
Our short growing season means less time for thatch to naturally break down, so heavy thatch can build up over years.
Power Raking FAQs
Q: Should I power rake my lawn every spring in Fort McMurray?
A: Usually no. Only power rake when thatch is over 1/2 inch and the lawn is strong enough to recover.
Q: Does power raking damage grass?
A: It can if done when the lawn is weak, too early, too late, or too aggressively. Use it only when needed.
Q: Will regular raking remove thatch?
A: Light leaf raking mainly removes debris, not true thatch, which sits lower near the soil line.
