Learn Your Lawn: Power Raking for Moss

WHAT IS POWER RAKING?

Power raking is when a machine with rotating tines or blades is used to dig up soil, dead moss, and debris for removal from the lawn. The best time of year for power raking is in the early spring or fall, following a moss control application. The purpose of power raking is to create ideal growing conditions for the bare areas of the lawn, which will need to be overseeded once the moss has been removed. 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF POWER RAKING?

• Power raking improves the appearance of patchy, unkempt areas of a lawn.

• Moss removal and power raking can increase the amount of sunlight and nutrients available to the grass, leading to healthier growth.

• Power raking helps to prevent moss from spreading by removing the moss and breaking up its hold on the soil.

• Power raking alleviates soil compaction, allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate more deeply into the soil.

TAKE EXTREME CARE

Power raking must be done with extreme care, as the intense vibration and movement of the power rake can damage the roots of the lawn, leaving it vulnerable to disease and insects. If power raking is done incorrectly, such as when the machine is set too low or the blades are dull, it can cause damage to the crowns of the grass, or even kill the grass. Make sure you use the machine at the recommended depth and with sharp blades to minimize any damage to the grass.