- Tackle small lawns with a dethatching rake, and rent a dethatcher (also known as a vertical cutter, verticutter, or power rake) for larger lawns
- Mow your lawn to half its normal height before you begin dethatching. (FYI: Don’t fertilize before dethatching.)
- Use a dethatching rake like you would a regular rake. Dig the tines into the thatch and pull it upward, helping to loosen and remove the buildup. ...
- If you’re planning to rent a dethatcher, mark any shallow irrigation lines, sprinkler heads, or buried utility lines before starting. This is no time for surprises!
- Ask the rental agency to adjust the spacing and cutting depth for your grass type. The blades should be set to cut no deeper than ½ inch into the soil. ...
- After dethatching, your lawn will look ragged. Use a leaf rake to get rid of the thatch you loosened up.
- If bare spots were created by dethatching, use a patching product, like Scotts® EZ Seed®, to repair them.
- Now you can feed the rest of your grass. Once that’s wrapped, water your entire lawn to help it recover from all of the poking and prodding.
What is the best way to dethatch my own lawn?
- The grass blades, themselves: This is the level that you see. ...
- The soil
- The layer of thatch between the grass blades and the soil
How to tell if your lawn needs dethatching?
Other Signs That Your Lawn Needs Dethatching
- Brown patches on your lawn
- Frequent lawn diseases
- Lawn insect infestation
- Generally stressed lawn
When should you use a lawn dethatcher?
- If you dethatch when the lawn is dormant it could damage the grass.
- Dethatching when you should scarify could cause trouble for your lawn.
- If you use a manual dethatcher it’s going to tire you out.
How much does it cost to dethatch your lawn?
Dethatching a 1-acre lawn could cost anything between $500 to $1000 depending on the condition of the grass, how long it takes to dethatch, and other factors. 1-acre lawns are quite large and might require more specialized equipment and additional services such as hydroseeding to restore good health.
What is the best way to dethatch a lawn?
Dethatching is the easy option because it is accomplished simply by using a rake. Push the rake tines deeply down through the grass, so that they reach the thatch layer that lies beneath. If you have a cool-season grass, you can be dethatching your lawn at the same time as you rake it for other reasons.
Is dethatching your lawn a good idea?
Done properly, dethatching helps restore your lawn to health and keep it beautiful in years to come. By learning why, when and how to dethatch, you can keep your thick, lush grass on track.
How do I know if my lawn needs dethatching?
Measure the depth of the thatch with your finger.If you don't feel comfortable sticking your finger into the thatch, use a stick or even a ruler to penetrate the thatch layer.If the thatch is obviously thicker than ¾ inch (1.9 cm), it's definitely time to dethatch the lawn.
What do you do after you dethatch your lawn?
After dethatching, rake up the newly exposed thatch. Mowing your lawn will also help to clean things up. Fertilizing at this time is also important. This will help your lawn recover and get much needed nutrients.
What month should I dethatch my lawn?
For northern grass the best time to dethatch your entire lawn is in late summer to early fall when the grass is actively growing. For southern grasses, dethatch in late spring. In early spring, and for small areas, use a thatching rake, which is a sharp-tined rake that rips the thatch out of the lawn.
Is it better to dethatch or aerate?
It is best to dethatch first before aerating your lawn. Both dethatching and aerating your lawn will improve air, nutrient, and water penetration into the root zone of your grass. Thatch is the main problem these two processes address.
What does thatch look like in lawn?
0:062:28**WHAT IS THATCH IN YOUR LAWN?!?!?! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is exactly what it looks like when thatch dies out it'll be very spotty. And it'll die inMoreThis is exactly what it looks like when thatch dies out it'll be very spotty. And it'll die in usually circle area so they'll be green green grass in between and this is all from thatch.
How do you get rid of thatch naturally?
0:222:49How to remove thatch from your lawn | Dethatching - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd most common method of thatch removal on home lawns is to simply drop the height on yourMoreAnd most common method of thatch removal on home lawns is to simply drop the height on your lawnmower. If your fetch is really thick this may have to be done gradually over a few most.
Should you mow before dethatching?
Mow your lawn to half its normal height before you begin dethatching. (FYI: Don't fertilize before dethatching.) Use a dethatching rake like you would a regular rake. Dig the tines into the thatch and pull it upward, helping to loosen and remove the buildup.
Should I seed after dethatching?
After dethatching, thatch should be removed and put in the compost pile. If you do not already have a compost pile, then you should seriously consider adding one. After this has been done, high-quality grass seed.
How often should you dethatch your lawn?
Thatch builds up over time, so it's not necessary to dethatch every year. Plan on dethatching every five years or so if your lawn needs it. You might want to give your lawn a quick check every year just to see how much thatch has accumulated.
Does grass need to be dry to dethatch?
Dethatch when soil is moist, not dry. If soil is too wet, a dethatch may yank turf out by the roots, creating large bare spots. It's best to dethatch during cooler weather. Mow the lawn to half its normal height right before dethatching.
When to dethatch grass?
Active grass growth helps speed your lawn's recovery. Dethatch cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, in late summer or early fall. Dethatch warm-season grasses, such as Bermudagrass or Zoysia grass, after spring green-up, as they enter early summer's peak growth. Never dethatch when your lawn is dormant or stressed;
How to tell if your lawn has thatch?
Take a garden trowel or spade and dig up a small wedge of your lawn grass and soil. You'll be able to see and measure its thatch layer. If your thatch is 1–2 inches or more, you've probably already seen signs of poor grass color and weak, thin growth. Once you've confirmed your thatch exceeds the healthy mark, the time for dethatching has come.
What is a manual dethatching rake?
Manual dethatching rakes are heavy, short-tined rakes with curved blades designed to dig into your lawn and pull up thatch as you rake. Dethatching rakes are good for light thatch and general thatch maintenance on small lawn areas.
Why is thatch a barrier?
Water from irrigation can accumulate in the thatch layer, too, so grass roots suffocate from lack of air.
What is thick thatch?
Thick thatch also provides a breeding ground for lawn disease and insect pests. Some lawn grasses are more prone to thatch buildup than other. Vigorous, spreading grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, Bermudagrass and creeping fescues, may need regular dethatching.
How thick is a thatch layer?
A thin thatch layer, less than 1/2-inch thick , is beneficial to lawn health.1 It acts as an organic mulch to help conserve soil moisture and protect against big fluctuations in soil temperatures. A thin thatch layer allows water, nutrients and air to penetrate into soil and reach waiting plant roots.
Where does thatch form?
A mix of dead and living plant material, thatch forms at the base of grass plants, where stems meet roots and soil. Some organic matter, such as small grass clippings or mulched leaves, break down quickly in healthy lawns, but other materials take much longer to decompose. When buildup outpaces breakdown, your lawn's thatch layer grows thicker.
How do I dethatch a lawn?
How to Dethatch Your Lawn. Tackle small lawns with a dethatching rake, and rent a dethatcher (also known as a vertical cutter, verticutter, or power rake) for larger lawns. Mow your lawn to half its normal height before you begin dethatching. (FYI: Don’t fertilize before dethatching.)
How thick is thatch in a yard?
It’s when thatch builds up to more than ¾-inch thick that’s the problem.
How to tell if your lawn is compacted?
You can tell your soil is overly compacted if you can’t easily insert a screwdriver into it. When thatch (bits of grass that have died and gathered just above the soil line) is too thick, your lawn will feel spongy, and it will be difficult to stick your finger through to the soil. Either way, you need to take action.
Why is my lawn not growing?
In both cases, the grass is suffering because air, water, and nutrients aren’t able to move freely into and through the soil, and are having trouble reaching the roots.
When to dethatch grass?
Dethatch lawns composed of warm-season grasses in late spring, which is just when they are "coming into their own" and will recuperate fastest from undergoing dethatching. A convex or "dethatching" rake is better than a regular leaf rake for dethatching a lawn.
What happens if you put thatch in your lawn?
But sometimes the organic matter that makes up that thatch layer accumulates faster than it can break down. It becomes too thick (1 inch or thicker), leading to the following problems: 1 It forms a barrier that deprives the root system of air, water, and nutrients. 2 It promotes insect infestations. 3 Lawn diseases are more likely to take hold. 4 Patches of lawn with thick layers of thatch become spongy. When mowing your lawn, the mower wheels sink down in these areas, resulting in a lower cut. This keeps you from mowing your lawn at the ideal height.
Why is my lawn thatch so thick?
It becomes too thick (1 inch or thicker), leading to the following problems: It forms a barrier that deprives the root system of air, water, and nutrients. It promotes insect infestations. Lawn diseases are more likely to take hold. Patches of lawn with thick layers of thatch become spongy.
What is thatch in lawn?
In a lawn, the thatch is an organic layer made up primarily of grass stems, stolons , and rhizomes (both living and dead) that have not yet broken down, or decomposed. Removing this thatch with a rake is known as thatch removal.
Why is thatch important for soil?
It moderates the temperature of the soil and helps it retain moisture. As microbes in the soil break it down, nutrients are released into the soil. But sometimes the organic matter that makes up that thatch layer accumulates faster than it can break down.
What is the best soil for a green lawn?
Having a green lawn starts with having good soil, in which the roots of your grass reside. An ideal soil is one that: Is kept evenly moist. Has good aeration. Has a pH level of about 6.5. Enjoys sufficient nutrients.
Is dethatching better than core aeration?
Of the two solutions, dethatching is certainly preferable to core aeration because core aeration requires a mechanical device. Unhappily, you may not have a choice. The severity of the situation determines which solution is implemented. Dethatching is for mild cases.
What to use to pull out thatch from lawn?
For lawns with moderate levels of thatch, aerating (see below) may do the trick. Or use a cavex rake (aka thatching or lawn dethatcher rake)—which has unusual semicircular tines. Those knifelike blades cut through the sod and pull out thatch.
When should I dethatch my lawn?
The best time to dethatch cool-season lawns is late August to early October, depending on your location, when the grass is growing vigorously and few weed seeds are likely to germinate.
What is a dethatching mower?
Resembling a heavy-duty power mower but with a series of spinning vertical knives, it cuts through thatch. Dethatching often creates a large volume of debris that must be removed. If the debris is weed-free and you have not used herbicides or pesticides on your lawn, compost it.
How do I know if my lawn has thatch?
There are multiple ways to figure out if your lawn has a thatch problem. The easiest is to simply check to see if your lawn is green on top but brown below. The best time to check is after you mow when you have just cut off the top green growth so the lawn will look brown and/or dead. Either of those conditions indicates thatch.
How many holes per square foot for a lawn aerator?
You steer it across the lawn—several times in different directions—to break up compacted soil as much as possible. (Aim for 20 to 40 holes per square foot.)
What is thatch in grass?
Thatch is a matted layer of grass stems, roots, stolons, rhizomes, and other organic debris that builds up faster than it can decompose. Thatch accumulates immediately below the green surface of the lawn—on top of the soil at the base of blades. A layer of thatch that’s less than ½ inch thick is normal and does not present cause for action.
Why is there a layer of thatch on my lawn?
A thick layer of thatch can harbor disease-causing insects and fungi, prolong high humidity that promotes disease, and bind or tie up pesticides.
How does thatch affect lawns?
Lawn thatch can affect your lawn either positively or negatively. It can contribute to your lawn’s health and vigour, or it can cause problems. Having a little (around a quarter of an inch) in your lawn is a good thing. It protects the crown of the grass plant from damage and disease while still allowing water, oxygen, ...
Why is my lawn thatching?
Over fertilising is one of the biggest causes of the accumulation of lawn thatch. Lawn feed contains nitrogen which causes the grass to grow quickly. If you apply too much fertiliser or if you apply it too often, grass grows at a far higher rate than microbes in the soil can break the dead material down.
How does raking and scarifying work?
Scarifying and raking physically removes thatch, dead foliage and moss from your lawn. Scarifying is important as it removes thatch from around the base of the grass plants which allows are, water and nutrients back into the soil. Raking controls the build-up of thatch by removing dead foliage and growth from the surface.
Why does lawn thatch spread quickly?
Because lawn thatch prevents water from reaching the soil, it lies there in the surface and within the fibrous layer when it rains. During autumn and winter this surface moisture provides the perfect environment in which moss and fungal diseases can spore and spread very quickly.
How to grow grass faster?
Use Fertilisers Correctly. Your lawn needs chemical nutrients in order for the grass to be able to produce food and grow. However, the overuse of fertilisers causes the grass to grow quicker than the dead material can be broken down. Be sensible about how often you fertilise your lawn and how much you use.
What causes lawn thatch?
As you now know, the build-up of lawn thatch occurs when new grass grows quicker than the old, dead material is decomposed. The rate at which lawn thatch is broken down depends on the amount of microbial activity in the soil. However, this microbial activity is affected by many things, including;
What is the layer of dead grass thatches?
Lawn thatch is a fibrous layer of predominantly dead and some living grass roots, stems and runners. This layer lies between leaves of the grass plant above the surface, and the root system below. It is broken down and decomposed naturally by microbes, bacteria and fungi in the soil. In an ideal world, it would break down at ...
How often should I dethatch my lawn?
Generally, lawns prone to thatch buildup should be dethatched once a year. “Dethatching is typically done when the lawn is growing and able to repair and recover, and when weather conditions are conducive to survival (not too hot, cold, dry, wet…),”. Mann says.
Why is my lawn prone to rot?
Thatch inhibits nutrients, air and water from reaching the root layer of your lawn, resulting in a shallow root system and issues with fungus. Wet thatch can retain too much water during rainy seasons, leaving grass roots susceptible to rot.
What is the purpose of spring cleaning?
Did you know that your lawn can benefit from a good spring cleaning just like your home? While an indoor deep cleaning removes dust and dirt from ceiling lamps to baseboards, an outdoor “deep cleaning” focuses on eliminating thatch buildup that may be depriving your lawn’s root system of the water, air and nutrients it needs to stay lush and robust.
Do you need to dethatch grass every year?
For other types of grass, thatch builds up over time so you don’t need to dethatch annually.
Can grass die from a rake?
With so many wounds, grass plants may dry out and die.”. If your lawn is already compromised, dethatch with a rake or dethatching machine with rake tines. This method removes the layer of thatch without penetrating the soil beneath, so there is less chance of further damaging your grass.
