Verticutting primarily serves to

• A. Increase leaf area
• B. Remove thatch mechanically
• C. Improve soil pH
• D. Dry the lawn

Answer: (B)

Verticutting is used to mechanically remove thatch from the turf. Thatched material—dead and living stems, roots, and shoots—can accumulate just above the soil, forming a layer that blocks water, air, and nutrients from reaching the root zone. The vertical blades of a verticutting tool cut through the turf and thatch, lifting and removing the excess material. This thinning and removal improves air exchange, water infiltration, and light penetration, and it also helps seed or overseeded areas make better contact with the soil. It’s not about increasing leaf area, adjusting soil pH, or drying the lawn—those effects come from other practices—so removing thatch mechanically is the primary purpose.