Before you start, mow your lawn shorter than usual. A height of about two inches will make getting the thatch out of your grass easier. It’s easier to dethatch a moist lawn than it is a dry one, but if it’s too wet, you can pull out grass, too. For yards that suffer from chronic thatch problems, a manual dethatcher or even a corded model simply won’t cut it. This large model from VonHaus is a great option for those with bigger thatch issues. It has a 12.5-amp motor that powers a 15-inch wide dethatching cylinder, making it suitable for small to midsize lawns with significant thatch issues.

The size of your lawn and the depth of your thatch will be the biggest factors in choosing the best dethatching method. For small lawns, manual methods works well, but for medium to large lawns with heavy thatch, you’ll need to choose one of the more aggressive options and let the machine do the work for you.After you dethatch your lawn, it will benefit by having more access to nutrients, water, oxygen, and sunlight, resulting in deeper, stronger roots. The soil will also be healthier and able to absorb water, fertilizer, and other soil amendments, leading to a greener, healthier lawn. Stormwater runoff and puddling will also be less of a problem. You can visibly see the dead grass in lawns with heavy thatch accumulation, making the lawn appear yellowish. Weak, spindly grass blades and thinning patches are primary visual indicators that your lawn needs dethatching. Physical Lawn Assessment A dethatching machine will do most of the work for you, but you must read the instructions to avoid injuries and damage to the equipment. First, go over your lawn north-to-south and then crosswise from east to west. It may take several passes to remove the thatch. Lawn Care After Dethatching While there are manual rakes, there are also power dethatchers that make removing the dead grass easier as well as large pull-behind dethatchers that attach to riding lawn mowers. Ahead, learn about what features to consider when shopping for a dethatcher and find out about some of the best dethatching rakes on the market. A thatching rake and a bow rake differ in that the thatching rake is very efficient in removing thatch (a layer of mixed-up debris that prevents your grass from reaching its full potential).

Many manual dethatching rakes can weigh upward of 5 pounds with their hardwood handles and steel heads, making them tougher to use, especially for larger jobs. This rake from Groundskeeper is a lightweight option that’s still effective at removing thatch. It weighs just 2 pounds but includes 28 thin steel tines that are curved to bite into dead grass and pull it loose from the soil. The process of dethatching your lawn depends on which method you choose. If you’re removing thatch manually, use a thatch rake and work across your lawn in a crisscross pattern. Plus, its 42-inch working width makes this an excellent choice for larger yards. You can worry less and dethatch more as the bundle has a two-year manufacturer’s warranty. Dethatching will help to remove this layer so that air and nutrients are able to reach your soil base and can more effectively feed your lawn. Reducing thatch also prevents water log in your roots. It will allow for proper drainage to help prevent the risk of fungal issues. What do I do? A layer of thatch encourages microbial activity and nutrient cycling in your soil, which increases the effectiveness of fertilizers and other soil amendments.Dethatching should only be done a couple of times a year. It works only for warm-season grasses (Buffalo, Kikuyu, Couch and Zoysia). It should be avoided for cool-season types – fescue and the likes as this practice will probably spell the end of your lawn. How often your lawn needs to be dethatched depends on many factors, so it’s best to rely on visual indicators and assessments. Visual Indicators Be sure to get the recommended cutting heights for your lawn type and follow the instructions the hire company provides. Clean up - this is the third and final step. Grab a garden rake or a leaf rake to clean up the loosened thatch. Using a leaf rake will be much smoother than using a thatching rake. You can also use a lawn sweeper or a bagging mower if you have one.