Mercer Island Lawn Aeration & Dethatching Services

Feeling like your lawn’s gone a little off the rails? Moss creeping in, grass looking a bit sad? If your lawn is compacted or smothered by thatch, it’s time for some TLC! Our seasoned team specializes in core aeration and targeted dethatching, giving your lawn the breath of fresh air it needs to thrive. We’re here to help your grass soak up water, nutrients, and sunlight—without messing up your beautiful outdoor space.

What’s Going On?

• Is your lawn spongy or sporting a thatch layer thicker than ½”? That’s a no-no for healthy roots!
• Do you see puddles forming in the rainy months or hard, baked soil in the summer? That means water is running off instead of soaking in.
• Thin grass means more room for weeds and moss to take over—yikes!
• Heavy foot traffic from kids, pets, or deliveries compacting your soil? We’ve got your back!
• Newly laid sod struggling on subsoil that hasn’t been prepped right? Let’s fix that!

Here’s How We Make a Difference

• Core Aeration (using hollow tines): We pull out 2–3” plugs to relieve compacted soil, enhancing air and water flow while creating perfect pockets for new grass growth.
• Dethatching (with a power rake): We’ll remove the dead thatch layer, allowing water and nutrients to reach the soil below. We only dethatch where it’s needed to keep your grass happy.
• Compost Topdress (optional but highly beneficial): A light ¼” layer of compost brings essential nutrients and helps break down the aeration cores.
• Overseed Option: Whether you prefer slit-seeding or broadcasting, we’ll sprinkle fresh seed into that aerated soil, encouraging a thick, green carpet.
• Irrigation Tune-Up: We’ll quickly check your irrigation system to ensure your lawn can maintain its newfound vibrancy.

Our top priority is your lawn’s health. We’ll adjust mower heights appropriately and bag debris during the cleanup after dethatching to prevent it from matting back down.

Best Times for Aeration and Dethatching in Mercer Island

• Ideal windows: March–May and late August–October (cooler temps and moist soil create the perfect recovery environment).
• Avoid deep summer unless you have irrigation dialed in; skip it when the ground is frozen or overly saturated in winter.

Quick Reality Checks

• Aeration vs. Dethatching: Aeration helps relieve compaction, while dethatching addresses that suffocating layer. Your lawn may only need one of these services.
• Curious about those cores? Leaving the plugs on your lawn is actually beneficial as they break down and enrich the soil. Prefer them removed? No problem—just let us know!
• Moss control: While aeration helps, achieving the right balance of shade, drainage, and mowing height is crucial. We’ll give you honest, straightforward advice.

Simple Coverage & Setup

• Core spacing: About 2–3” apart; we make two passes at different angles in areas with heavy compaction.
• Seed application rates (for overseeding): Roughly 3–5 lb/1,000 sq ft for rye/fescue blends.
• Topdress calculations: 1 cubic yard covers about 1,296 sq ft @ ¼” thickness.

Aftercare Made Easy

• Water: Lightly irrigate for 3–5 days after aeration, then switch to a deeper watering schedule less frequently.
• Mow: Resume mowing when the lawn is dry. Keep the grass height at 2.5–3” using a sharp blade for the best results.
• Feed: Only if a soil test shows it’s necessary; a compost cap is often more beneficial than heavy fertilizers.
• Traffic: Normal use is fine; just steer clear of 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 only when thatch exceeds ½”.
• Compost topdressing in the spring to nourish your lawn.
• Overseed touch-ups in the fall for density.
• Irrigation checks—we’ll assess coverage, timing, and perform catch-cup tests.

Think of us as your go-to landscaping team. Our goal is to keep things running smoothly between visits and lighten your workload!

Choose Your Service Cadence

• Quarterly — spring/fall deep clean + two lawn tune-ups for a consistently healthy yard.
• Bi-Monthly — ideal for high-traffic lawns or those prone to moss.

(If you’re dealing with fresh seed or heavy compaction, kick 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 for thin areas, plus irrigation timer adjustments.
• Review of moss and weed pressures with simple solutions.

Why Annual Maintenance is Key

• Deeper roots mean better drought resilience.
• Fewer weeds and moss as your turf thickens.
• Healthier soil that holds water and nutrients longer.
• A polished look with even color, fewer bare spots, and crisp edges.

Our Process is Simple and Transparent

1. Free Estimate — we’ll assess your lawn through photos/video or a quick walkthrough, providing clear, upfront pricing.
2. Prep Day — we’ll mark irrigation heads and cables, set mower height, and get ready for debris management.
3. Service Day — we’ll aerate, dethatch (if needed), clean up, and optionally topdress or overseed.
4. Follow-Up — we’ll give you watering and mowing notes, along with an easy plan for touch-ups.

Why Mercer Island Trusts Neat & Tidy

• Our local crew knows the ins and outs of marine layer mornings, winter clay, and narrow alleys.
• 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 Care it Deserves?

Reach out to Neat & Tidy for core aeration and dethatching that truly enhances your grass—without filling your schedule. We’ll keep your yard looking pristine, so you can enjoy your outdoor space without lifting a finger!