Cartoon of a wolf character in a blue hoodie and cap, pushing a lawn mower in a grassy area with a blue sky background, with the text 'Fresh Cut Lawns' in bold white and green letters underneath.

Lawn Aeration & Dethatching

Every time you mow, and the kids and dogs play on the grass, park your car on the lawn, your lawn gets a bit compressed. This, along with dead leaves, lawn clippings and other waste can build up and stick together to form a barrier, called thatch and start to suffocate your soil and lawn. Like us, lawns need to breathe. If a thatch barrier develops, oxygen, water, and other vital nutrients will not be able to reach your lawn’s roots and you’ll be left with a brown lawn. The following are solutions we provide to get you your best lawn.

Lawn Aeration

Aeration removes plugs or “cores” of grass and soil to make it easier for lawns to take in all the essential nutrients necessary to flourish into the beautiful green colour we all desire.

Why Aerate?

  • Reduces stress from heat and drought

  • Improve your soil’s intake of nutrients

  • Strengthens roots

  • Makes lawns less susceptible to disease

When to Aerate?

Fresh Cut Lawns recommends aerating the turf once or twice per year. Either in the spring or in Autumn.

In Shellharbour the best time for spring aeration is Early October through to November. Spring aeration will help remedy the thinning and puddling, as well as provide faster greening. You do not want to aerate during the heat of the summer when the grass is stressed.

Autumn lawn aeration helps strengthen roots and provides an ideal foundation for overseeding.

Dethatching

Dethatching a lawn involves removing accumulated thatch (a layer of dead and decaying organic matter) to improve air, water, and nutrient access to the grass roots, promoting healthier growth. It's typically done in the spring or autumn using a dethatching rake or machine, and is crucial when thatch becomes excessively thick. 

What is Thatch?

  • Thatch is a layer of dead and decaying grass, roots, and other organic matter that builds up between the soil and the grass blades. 

  • A thin layer of thatch can be beneficial, providing a cushion and moisture retention. 

  • However, excessive thatch can restrict air, water, and nutrient penetration to the roots, leading to poor grass health and disease. 

Why Dethatch?

  • Improved Grass Health

  • Enhanced Drainage

  • Reduced Disease and Pest Problems

  • Better Lawn Appearance

Diagram showing the benefits of aeration on grass growth. Before aeration: shallow roots and compacted soil. During aeration: soil is perforated with holes. After aeration: deeper roots and new root growth, resulting in a healthier lawn.
Diagram showing that thatch of 1 inch or more in height retains water, while thatch of half an inch or less allows water to pass through to the soil and roots below.

Our Services

A green lawn with the words "Lawn Mowing" overlaid in white text.
A backyard with overgrown grass and weeds, with a patio in the foreground and trees, bushes, and a house with a red tiled roof in the background. Overlaid text says 'Overgrown Clean Ups'.
Lawn Renovations
Green grass lawn with a stone wall in the background and white text reading 'Commercial Properties'.
Weed Control
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