The first thing to do after dethatching is to remove the piles of thatch from your yard.
What does dethatching your yard do.
Not all lawns need dethatching but when your lawn does need it knowing how to dethatch your lawn is crucial to its future.
As microbes in the soil break it down nutrients are released into the soil.
You can buy what s called a thatching rake which has knifelike blades rather than normal tines.
Occasionally thatch does build up to excessive levels and your lawn will need some help in removing it.
When to dethatch your lawn.
Fertilize your lawn after dethatching to help the lawn recover.
It is a combinglike operation in which you comb out the debris.
When you re done you can use a rake and wheelbarrow to clean.
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.
Dethatching your lawn improves its overall health.
Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional it s a disruptive process to say the least and your lawn is going to need a band aid and some time to heal.
Rake up the loosened thatch and remove it from the lawn.
Once your lawn has been aerated it is sensible to dethatch your lawn.
Thatch accumulates immediately below the green surface of the lawn on top of the soil at the base of blades.
Using the same motion you would to rake leaves the short tines and curved blades of a dethatching rake such as this ames model available on amazon can dig into your lawn to.
Thatch is a matted layer of grass stems roots stolons rhizomes and other organic debris that builds up faster than it can decompose.
We provide a detailed guide on the best way to dethatch your lawn.
Before you dethatch your lawn mow it to about an inch.
If bare spots were created by dethatching use a patching product like scotts ez seed to repair them.
Healthy dense turfgrass is achieved and maintained through appropriate species and cultivar selection excellent site preparation and proper maintenance practices.
After dethatching your lawn will look ragged.
A thatch layer of 1 2 inch can work hand in hand with these soil requirements.
When you dethatch you actually cut through the thatch with knife like blades and then removing the debris.
Too much thatch can stifle new growth and cause bare patches to appear.
What does a lawn dethatcher do.
Do not fertilize before dethatching.
You vigorously rake.
When you ve got the machine home run it over your whole lawn going north to south then run it again going east to west to break up all the thatch.
Dealing with excess thatch.
Then rent a vertical mower or core aerator from your local hardware store.