Core aeration and dethatching (power-raking) are two common lawn maintenance practices that aim to improve soil health and promote healthy turf growth. Core aeration and dethatching have different benefits that compliment each other. Unlike dethatching, which involves removing the thick layer of dead plant material from the soil surface, core aeration involves creating small holes in the soil to allow for better air and water penetration, nutrient absorption, and root growth. This process helps to loosen compacted soil and break up thatch, while also promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the soil. Core aeration leaves behind small cores of soil that are left on the lawn to naturally break-down. The cores or plugs act as a natural fertilizer and are a huge benefit to the lawn. Dethatching removes the thick layer of thatch which is the accumulation of dead grass and other organic material that has no benefit to your lawn when it is too thick and that has to be collected and disposed of. While excessive thatch can be problematic for a lawn, a thin layer of thatch can help to protect the grass roots from temperature extremes and reduce water loss from the soil. It can also provide insulation and cushioning for the turf, making it more resilient to foot traffic and other stresses. Core aeration reduces thatch by punching through that thin thatch layer while dethatching eliminates that thick build up allowing your lawn to breathe. The combination of core aeration and dethatching creates the optimal conditions for overseeding to be most effective.