Professional Power Raking Services in Calgary

Power raking is the process of removing excess thatch from a lawn, in order to allow better water and nutrient intake, as well as better air flow. Power raking uses a machine, called power rake, with vertical blades or flails that slice into the lawn and pulls up thick layers of thatch, dead grass, and debris to the surface so it can then be manually raked and bagged  

If done at the right time, in the Spring before the whole lawn greens up, there is little to no stress to the new grass. If power raking is done outside the recommended window, it will put stress on the grass blades, especially during the hot Summer months, and can cause temporary thinning of the lawn. Lawn will recover slowly, with proper care it will take 3 - 6 weeks

Power raking is not a replacement for weed control treatment. Power raking will remove some weed seeds and shallow-rooted weeds, but it will not affect established weeds with deep root system. 

Yes, we manually rake and bag all the pulled-up thatch and dead material. We bag in paper bags and leave the bags on the property, ready for the City green bin collection pickup. Currently we do not remove the bags from the properties where we provide the service.

Bookings can be canceled at any time, prior to scheduled service date. That gives us enough time to replace your property in our schedules, without any down times. However, for unannounced, on spot cancellations we charge a $80 fee.

Thatch is a layer of dead grass and organic material which builds up overtime, between the soil and the live grass blades. A thin layer of thatch, up to 1/2", is benefic for grass, as it helps keep moisture for longer, reduces the weed count, and cushions against foot traffic. However, excessive buildup thatch, will block air, water and nutrients and promotes pests.

We recommend against getting power raking done on new lawns, for the first 2 years, or until the sod is fully rooted. Due to the powerful mechanical action, there is a risk that the power rakes can unseat or rip the new sod, if is not fully rooted.

Ideal time to power rake your lawn in Calgary, is in the Spring after snow melts and the ground dries up. That would usually be mid April, until mid to end of May, depending on weather. Late Summer - early Fall is the second best time of the year to power rake, if you missed the Spring and can't wait until next Spring. Due to the fact that power raking puts stress on grass blades, is recommended to avoid it after the whole lawn turns green. For lawns in a rough shape, power raking can be done outside the ideal window, and is usually paired with aeration, reseeding or overseeding and fertilization.

Yes, our equipment requires at least 36 inches of clearance. Due to the weight of the machines, we cannot move them up or down stairs; a ramp or level access is required.

Mow the lawn if grass it taller than 3", flag the sprinkler heads if there is an inground sprinkler system, clear toys, furniture, and decorations from the lawn, and make sure gates are unlocked. If grass is too long, we will have to cut it before we proceed with the power raking, at an additional cost.

Most common signs are:
- Thatch layer thicker than ½ inch (check by cutting a small plug of turf)
- Lawn feels spongy when you walk on it
- Water runs off instead of soaking in
- Grass looks thin or patchy despite fertilizing
- Frequent fungus or insect problems 

There are no pre-payments, we email out an invoice after the service has been completed. As for payment, we currently accept e-transfers and cheques.

If the power raking was provided as a stand alone service, after completion we recommend mowing the lawn around 2.5" height. The mower will also pick up any left overs after the lawn was manually raked. Then you can apply fertilizer and/or grass seed and lastly water the lawn.