Is aerating and dethatching the same?
Not exactly. Aeration pulls out real plugs of soil from your yard, whereas dethatching gets rid of the coating of thatch that sits on top of the soil. Root systems are able to expand outward and develop deeper into the ground when the soil is more aerated and contains more nutrients. Even if holes in your yard are unsightly, you shouldn't worry since they'll soon be covered with thick, thriving grass.