Des Moines Lawn Aeration & Dethatching Services
Hey there, Des Moines homeowners! Is your lawn looking a bit tired or overrun by moss? If your grass feels compacted or is buried under a thick layer of thatch, it’s not going to thrive like it should. Our friendly and experienced team is here to offer specialized core aeration and dethatching services to revive your lawn, letting it breathe, soak up water, and grow robust roots—all while protecting your beautiful outdoor oasis.
What’s the Situation?
- Is your lawn feeling spongy or is thatch thicker than ½”, choking off your roots?
- Are you noticing puddles in winter or hard, dry patches in summer where water won’t soak in?
- Is your grass looking thin, making it easy for moss and weeds to move in?
- Have kids, pets, or foot traffic compacted your soil beyond repair?
- Did you recently lay sod but missed conditioning the underlying soil?
How We Make a Difference
- Core Aeration (using hollow tines): We pull out 2–3” plugs from your lawn, relieving compaction, enhancing air and water flow, and creating ideal seed pockets for new growth.
- Dethatching (with a power rake): Our team will remove that excessive layer of thatch, allowing nutrients and water to reach the soil. We only dethatch when absolutely necessary to minimize stress on your grass.
- Compost Topdress (optional but highly recommended): A light ¼” layer of compost enriches the soil and helps break down those aeration cores.
- Overseed Option: We can apply seeds either by drop spread seeding or broadcasting into the newly aerated soil to encourage a dense, vibrant lawn.
- Irrigation Tune-Up: We’ll take a quick look at your irrigation system to ensure it is working effectively, helping your lawn maintain its newfound health.
We’re all about your lawn’s well-being! We adjust mower height and bag up all debris during the first cleanup pass after dethatching to keep things neat and tidy.
Best Times to Aerate and Dethatch in Des Moines
- Optimal windows: March–May and late August–October are your best bets—cool temps and moist soil create perfect recovery conditions.
- Avoid deep summer unless you’ve got your irrigation game strong; definitely skip when the ground is frozen or overly saturated in winter.
Quick Reality Checks
- Aeration vs Dethatching: Remember, aeration helps relieve compaction, while dethatching tackles that suffocating layer of dead grass. Many lawns might only need one of these services.
- Those cores? Leaving the plugs on your lawn is beneficial as they break down and enrich the soil. If you prefer them removed, we can handle that too!
- Moss control: While aeration helps, achieving the right balance of shade, drainage, and mowing height is key. We’ll give you honest advice tailored to your lawn.
Simple Coverage & Setup
- Core spacing: Approximately 2–3” apart, with two passes at different angles in areas of heavy compaction.
- Seed application rates (for overseeding): Around 3–5 lb/1,000 sq ft for rye/fescue blends.
- Topdress calculations: 1 cubic yard covers roughly 1,296 sq ft @ ¼” thickness.
Aftercare Made Easy
- Water: Lightly irrigate for 3–5 days post-aeration; then switch to a deeper, less frequent watering schedule.
- Mow: Once the lawn is dry, resume mowing. Keep grass height at 2.5–3” with a sharp blade for optimal results.
- Feed: Only if a soil test shows it’s needed; a compost cap usually trumps heavy fertilizers.
- Traffic: Normal use is fine; just avoid sharp turns with heavy equipment for a week after service.
Our Annual Maintenance Plan (Your Lawn’s Best Friend)
- Spring/Fall aeration tailored to your lawn’s traffic and soil type
- Targeted dethatching when thatch exceeds ½”
- Compost topdressing light cap in spring to nourish your lawn
- Overseed touch-ups in the fall to ensure density
- Irrigation checks—we’ll evaluate coverage, timing, and perform catch-cup tests
Think of us as your low-maintenance landscaping team! Our goal is to minimize issues between visits and lighten your workload.
Choose Your Service Cadence
- Quarterly — spring/fall deep clean + two lawn tune-ups for a continuously healthy yard
- Bi-Monthly — perfect for high-traffic lawns or those prone to moss
(If you’re dealing with fresh seed or heavy compaction, kick things off with monthly services for 60–90 days, then we can taper down.)
What’s Included in Our Annual Maintenance
- Thatch depth assessment & soil compaction analysis
- Core aeration and/or dethatching customized for your lawn
- ¼” compost topdress (optional) and clean edge re-cut
- Overseeding in thin areas, plus adjustments to your irrigation timer
- Review of moss and weed pressures with straightforward solutions
Why Annual Maintenance is Key
- Deeper roots lead to better drought resistance
- Fewer weeds and moss as your turf thickens
- Healthier soil that retains moisture and nutrients longer
- A polished look with even color, fewer bare spots, and crisp edges
Our Process is Simple and Transparent
- Free Estimate — We’ll assess your lawn through photos/video or a quick walkthrough, providing clear, upfront pricing.
- Prep Day — We’ll mark irrigation heads and cables, set mower height, and prepare for debris management.
- Service Day — We’ll aerate, dethatch (if necessary), clean up, and optionally topdress or overseed.
- Follow-Up — We’ll give you watering and mowing notes, along with a simple plan for touch-ups.
Why Des Moines Trusts Neat & Tidy
- Our local crew knows the ins and outs of Des Moines weather patterns and soil types.
- Licensed & insured for your peace of mind.
- Transparent pricing—labor, materials, hauling, and disposal are all included.
- We pride ourselves on punctual, respectful, and tidy work.
- Green-first approach—we focus on compost-rich soils, integrated pest management, and smart water usage.
Ready to Give Your Lawn the Love It Deserves?
Contact Neat & Tidy for core aeration and dethatching that truly enhances your grass—without filling up your schedule. We’ll keep your yard looking pristine, so you can spend more time enjoying it!
