Dethatching Lawn ?

[ISUFAN80]

We bought our house two years ago. The lawn did not look too bad but need some work. My question is what is the best way to dethatch a1/2 acre lawn without raking it.

I have seen these things with springs on them that you put weight on top of it. I have heard that these do not do that well of a job doing it. I have also heard that renting a dethatcher from your local rental shop is the best route. These are gas powered ones that really get the thatch up.

What is your thoughts and what have you used in the past.
I have a Ariens 1740 Zoom Zero turn riding mower. 17 hp Kohler motor.

 

[kingcy]

Aerate it instead.

 

[Bobber]

Aerate it instead.

I agree. Fall is the best time to do that, but I think you could still do some good if you do it soon.

 

[ISUFAN80]

Plug or just the regular one that pokes hole in ground ?

 

[kingcy]

I agree. Fall is the best time to do that, but I think you could still do some good if you do it soon.

Forgot to add after aeration spread some grass seed over your yard to take care of bad spots and get new better varaties of grass growing. Also spread some pel lime or similar product on it.

 

[kingcy]

Plug or just the regular one that pokes hole in ground ?

Plugs.

 

[superdorf]

Why not power thatch?

 

[Cyclonesrule91]

You aeriate in the Fall and dethatch in the spring. If you get a power rake to dethatch you 1/2 acre lawn, then get about 10-15 lawn bags to put the stuff you rake up.

 

[jumbopackage]

Why not power thatch?

It's destructive and unnecessary.

A properly fertilized and healthy lawn will de-thatch itself.

 

[ketelmeister]

I like to dethatch...seems to absorb moisture better for me. Power mower with rake on front and bag on back

 

[superdorf]

It's destructive and unnecessary.

A properly fertilized and healthy lawn will de-thatch itself.

Okay... Well... what if it isn't healthy to begin with.

I spent quite a bit of time on my lawn last fall... I thatched, aerated and overseeded.

However, thus far I only have what looks like a lawn that NEEDS to be dethacthed...

 

[ISU3000]

JMO - Core aeration is the way to go. That should serve to both loosen soil compaction and break up some of the thatch. That will allow your lawn to develop a better root system and absorb moisture and fertilizer better. My guess is that the compaction is affecting your lawn more than the thatch. Aerate, fertilize, then get ready to mow twice a week.

 

[jumbopackage]

Okay... Well... what if it isn't healthy to begin with.

I spent quite a bit of time on my lawn last fall... I thatched, aerated and overseeded.

However, thus far I only have what looks like a lawn that NEEDS to be dethacthed...

I agree with ISU3000 on this.


De-thatching a lawn is treating a symptom instead of fixing the problem. Keep aerating and keep an eye on how much fertilizer you are using especially if you don't bag.

 

[superdorf]

Thanks for the advice...

Should I bag for the time being?

 

[kingcy]

Thanks for the advice...

Should I bag for the time being?

Bag what? Your clipping dont cause thatch. The roots do. Clippings are good for the grass loaded with nurtients.

 

[jumbopackage]

Thanks for the advice...

Should I bag for the time being?

If thatch is a problem, it probably wouldn't hurt, especially if you don't have a mulching mower. You shouldn't have to do it long term, though. Those clippings are full of nutrients that you will have to add back with fertilizer otherwise, so it's better to mow with a mulching mower and leave it on the lawn, IMO.

Aerating the lawn is the best thing you can do for it. How many times have you seen a golf course de-thatching? How many times do you see them core aerate?

I'd be thrilled if my lawn looked like a fairway

 

[superdorf]

I do have a mulching mower... I will go ahead and aerate then. Thanks!

 

[jumbopackage]

I do have a mulching mower... I will go ahead and aerate then. Thanks!

Yeah, with a mulching mower, just keep putting the clippings back on the lawn.

Make sure your blades are sharp too! Sharp blades, frequent mowing, aerating every year or two, and not going overboard on fertilizer and your thatch problem should be a thing of the past - and that's because you'll have a healthy lawn!


edit: here's a good link that I mostly agree with about dethatching and aerating.

http://www.bachmans.com/tipsheets/lawn/Dethatching.cfm

 

[MontyBurns]

How often are you mowing and how much are you cutting off the grass? Even a mulching mower can't do much if you're letting the grass grow 6" high then cutting it to 1". Small clippings are good. Big clumps of dead grass are not.

 

[superdorf]

How often are you mowing and how much are you cutting off the grass? Even a mulching mower can't do much if you're letting the grass grow 6" high then cutting it to 1". Small clippings are good. Big clumps of dead grass are not.

I mow my grass whenever Jamie Pollard mow's his.