What is a power rake?

The term power raking has been adopted in the lawn care industry to describe de thatching performed with a gas powered machine. It is the most efficient way to remove the bulk of the dead grass thatch that builds up just below the view of the grass. Thatch can be removed manually with a rake as well.

Once the snow melts we will be posting a video on this page that will demonstrate what a power rake is. We hope you will visit us again towards the end of April to check it out.

What is thatch?

Thatch is grass that becomes interwoven along the top of the ground, beneath the view of the green grass. It is not dead grass clippings and does not result from leaving your clippings on the grass after mowing. In fact mulching and leaving your clippings in the grass is the best fertilizer there is. Thatch builds up as a result of over fertilizing or over watering your grass.

Why do I remove it?

You need to remove the build up of thatch in your lawn because it prevents proper moisture from the rain and sprinklers from absorbing into the soil and getting to your grass. It also keeps the amount of air from getting at the soil as well.

My neighbor has 25 bags of thatch, I have 10. Why?

Every lawn is different and the more thatch you have indicates the more you are fertilizing. A common myth is that you have to remove all the thatch, this is not true and not a good practice. We try to find a balance with your lawn, having a proper amount of thatch offers protection to your lawn from the elements.

My lawn has to be raked before it will grow, right?

This is another common misconception, just because your neighbor got his done before you does not mean that their lawn will look better then yours. So relax, because it doesn’t matter whether you are first or last, you can still cut your grass while you are waiting to have it raked.

We try to plan our power raking season strategically and during this time, weather permitting we work seven days a week till we have completed our jobs. We will attempt to keep you updated and will contact you within 3 days of us arriving so you can mark sprinkler heads and remove animal waste.

What does a power rake cost and what’s included?

The cost varies per yard, if your lot is 5000 sq. feet or less then the price is $75.00 + gst. Sometimes this price may be more depending on the condition of the yard or particular obstacles that may slow us down. If you have been a past customer then we have your information of file and we will email or call you with a price. If you are a new customer, we can do most estimates over the phone or by email with the assistance of Google earth. If your property is fairly new then we will have to come and do a physical estimate. We do not charge for lawn service estimates.

Included is the power raking, removal and bagging of the thatch and cutting the lawn. If you have a spot that we can dump the thatch in a pile then this can save you some money as it takes us less time. The power rake does not include cleaning up the yard of leaves and debris. This service is also available and is referred to as a Spring Clean Up.

For more information on power raking you can leave voice mail at the phone number posted at Contact Us or take a minute to fill out the contact  form.

Lord of the Grass, Proudly Serving Selkirk, St. Andrews, East/West St. Paul and North Winnipeg, Manitoba since 2005.