What is the difference between a lawn aerator and a power rake? Which is best to use?

A. A lawn aerator has hollow tines that sink into the ground and remove plugs of soil. This process advances root growth and helps nutrients reach grass plants at the root level. The “plugs of soil that are left on the ground dissipate quickly and through chemical break-down turns thatch into compost reducing the need for chemical fertilizer. A power rake is designed to rake and lift thatch from the lawn for easy removal. A small amount of thatch is okay, but if you have more than ½” of thatch on the lawn, it is a good idea to remove it. Unless you have an excess amount of thatch, I would have to say aeration is best for your lawn. Your lawn will respond best if the process is done in either spring or fall and works well in conjunction with over-seeding.  more