When is it best to dethatch

It is essential that before you dethatch your lawn, that the weather conditions promote rapid and healthy grass growth after dethatching. This requires the weather to be warm and the lawn to be watered after thatch removable.

It is also common practice to dethatch your lawn at the end of the grass growing season around the end of September. People commonly use a spring tine garden rake to remove thatch from their lawn, however this is often quite physically challenging work.

To combat this, Flymo has a range of electric lawn rakes that remove moss and thatch effortlessly. There are three ways to tell if your lawn needs dethatching; 1. By touch - if your lawn is extremely bouncy underfoot then you are likely to have a thick layer of thatch on your lawn. By sight - you should be able to see the soil between the grass blades. Measurement — a simple way to tell the level of thatch on your lawn is to dig up a small section of the lawn using a trowel about 3 inches thick.

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We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Never dethatch when your lawn is dormant or stressed; you can damage it beyond recovery. Lawn aeration and dethatching are two different processes, but they can work together to help your lawn.

Aeration removes cores of soil, including their thatch layer, and creates paths for water and nutrient to penetrate thatch and compacted soil. This helps prepare thatch for removal and speeds the breakdown of existing thatch.

Dethatching helps slice through thatch into soil and remove the barrier of thick, accumulated organic matter. How to Dethatch Your Lawn If your thatch is over 2 inches thick, you may want to consider hiring a professional for the job.

If DIY is more your style , you can dethatch your lawn in three ways: 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. Power rakes are mower-like devices with rotating, rake-like tines that dig into thatch at the soil level and pull it up. Power rakes work well for lawns with thinner thatch layers and grass that can withstand intense raking.

Vertical mowers , also called verticutters, have vertical blades that slice down through the thatch layer and into soil, pulling thatch—and often grass roots—to the surface as they go.

Verticutters are best for thick thatch layers on lawns in need of renovation. Blades adjust to control how much thatch you remove at once.

What to Do After Dethatching With dethatching done, it's an ideal time to overseed your lawn and get it back on track for thick, lush, green beauty.

By choosing premium grass seed such as water-conserving Pennington Smart Seed , you improve your lawn's sustainability as you overcome thatch. For a quick, easy fix to thin grass, turn to Pennington Lawn Booster; this all-in-one product combines Smart Seed, professional-grade fertilizer and soil enhancers, all in a single, easy-to-use package. To prevent future thatch problems, test your lawn soil every 3—4 years and follow soil test recommendations to keep soil pH and nutrients at optimal levels for thick, healthy grass growth.

Your lawn may need lime to restore soil pH balance, which also promotes beneficial activity of thatch-reducing microorganisms. Aerate heavy or compacted lawns annually and amend with gypsum to help loosen soil and encourage root growth. Fertilize your lawn, according to soil test recommendations, with the best lawn fertilizers to ensure it gets nitrogen it needs without over-fertilizing, and follow best practices for mowing and wise watering.

By learning why, when and how to dethatch your lawn properly and taking steps to prevent thatch, you can keep your lawn on track for healthy, thick, lush growth. Pennington is committed to providing you with the finest in grass seed and lawn care products so you can enjoy a beautiful, healthy lawn you're proud to own.