How Does A Dethatching Machine Work
Dethatching machines look like lawnmowers but have blades that cut down in crisscrossing motions. This action loosens the thatch, which is then raked up separately and removed. You might see some dethatching machines with rake-like tines. These often do not offer the best experience compared to those with blades.
Is It Good To Dethatch Your Lawn
Typically, not all lawns will need dethatching. However, some types of grass may need dethatching every year to keep the lawn aerated and healthy.
When done properly, dethatching restores the health and beauty of your lawn. Since you will get rid of the thick underneath layer, the grass will get enough water and nutrients.
Therefore, it is good to dethatch your lawn if it needs it. When the thatch reaches a thickness of about ½ inches, you can dethatch your lawn to allow enough air to penetrate.
Cost To Rent Or Buy A Dethatcher
To rent a dethatcher, expect to pay around $80 to $100 per day. If you go for a power rake, expect rental costs of $50 to $60 per day. Plus you’ll need to pay a refundable deposit for either machine, at a cost of around $150. Buying a dethatcher costs anywhere from $100 to $500, for a residential dethatcher.
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Additional Benefits Of Aeration
Beyond its effect on the thatch layer, aeration also provides other advantages to your lawn. Improved soil structure allows for stronger, thicker root growth, the necessary foundation for a healthy lawn. In addition, when an overseeding is performed at the time of the aeration, the process can generate better seed-to-soil contact, giving those seedlings the best possible chance to survive and thrive.
Should I Dethatch Before Aerating
Yes. Dethatching will remove debris from your lawns canopy before aerating.
Aerating will push thatch and whatever else that is hung-up in the thatch layer into the soil. In this layer there may be dormant weed seed that once pushed into the ground may germinate. For this reason we like to remove as much of this material first with dethatching.
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What Does Dethatching Do For Grass
Dethatching gets rid of excessive thatch that is above half an inch in length and dead non-decomposing weeds, grass stems, and other debris. By removing the thatch, healthy grass will have an opportunity to grow because it can access more nutrients from your fertilizer, more water, and more sun. Dethatched grass is also generally more comfortable to walk on even with bare feet and safer for pets and small children to run on.
Dethatching also has some additional benefits to your grass, among them:
Prevents fungi and disease- Too much thatch is bad news for most lawns because it causes fungi and insect buildup that could be a threat to your pets and loved ones. Mosquitoes and other dangerous animals and insects find it comfortable to hide in thick thatched grass and build their nests or lay eggs, especially during cold weather. At the same time, too much thatch acts as a magnet for the humidity that is also not good for comfort and health.
It allows new grass to germinate- Dethatching has more or less the same effects as aeration although you still need to aerate if you are dealing with compacted or dry soil. By removing excess thatch and other debris, new healthier grass will sprout because it has more access to water and other essential nutrients.
How To Prep For Dethatching Your Lawn
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Dethatch when your soil is moist but not soggy, so water your lawn thoroughly two days before you plan to dethatch.
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If youre using a dethatching machine, be sure to mark any shallow irrigation lines, sprinkler heads or buried utility lines before starting.
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Mow your lawn to half its normal height before dethatching.
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If you are renting a dethatching machine, ask the rental agency to adjust the spacing and cutting depth for your grass type. The blades or tines should be set to cut no deeper than 1/2 inch into the soil. And get detailed directions on how to use the machine. Keep in mind dethatching machines can be heavy, so transport it on a truck or large van and enlist a buddy to help you load and unload it.
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Does Dethatching Remove Weeds
Weeds usually contribute to excess thatch buildup and will be removed by the power rake or dethatching machine. That said, you should also use other weed removal methods and not rely on dethatching alone as doing so wouldnt solve the weed problem entirely due to weed seeds and root systems that may remain intact in the soil after dethatching. Use a weed killer a week or two before dethatching to make the work easier for the dethatcher.
Cost Of Professional Dethatching Of Lawn
Most professional companies charge around $170 $180 per hour to complete the job. They mostly use three men for the task, making it faster to complete efficiently. The job takes around 1 2 hours for small lawns and up to 4 hours for more extensive lawns. Since its a labor-intensive task, you can expect to pay anywhere from $350 $700 in detaching labor costs. However, if you combine lawn dethatching with other services such as lawn aeration, some professionals will give you a discount on the total costs.
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Avg. Pro Dethatching Estimate: $650
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How Much To Charge For Dethatching
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the prices I gave were my rock bottom minimum I start atIt’s not the equipment that makes a professional, it’s the operator.
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Is Dethatching A Lawn Worth It
Yes, dethatching is worth it if you’ve got a thick thatch layer. Grab a trowel and dig up a small section of soil and grass, and check how thick the thatch layer is. If it’s an inch or more, and you’re noticing problems like thinning grass, weak, patchy grass, or pale coloring, it could be time to dethatch to restore health and vigor.
Talk to Lawn Dethatching Pros Near You
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Can I Get Rid Of Thatch Naturally
If you prefer removing thatch naturally, worry not because it is possible. You can remove the thatch through decomposition in the following ways.
- The first and most important thing to do is ensure the soil underneath the thatch layer is moist. When the soil dries up, decomposition will not take place. You can do heavy watering from time to time to ensure the soil stays moist.
- Make sure you collect your clippings until the thatch decomposes completely.
- Test the soils pH frequently and add lime if need be. Acidic soil slows down decomposition, so try to keep it as alkaline as possible.
- Use a biological dethatcher to increase the degrading process. The biological dethatcher contains specific enzymes and microbes that accelerate decomposition.
- Fertilize your lawn regularly to ensure the soils microorganism gets enough nitrogen to accelerate thatch decomposition.
Recommended Lawn Care Services
Reseeding your lawn can be time-consuming and expensive. If youd like professional help, consider one of our top-rated companies below to guide you through the reseeding process.
- TruGreen: TruGreen services every state except for Alaska and Hawaii. TruGreen offers five annual plans with a la carte services, such as pest control. This allows you to customize your lawn care or reseeding with everything from fertilization to aeration. TruGreens plans range from $558$890 per year as a national average.
- Sunday: Sunday ships do-it-yourself lawn care straight to your door, from fertilizer to root protection for the winter months. The company also offers 5 grass seed blends for lawn reseeding. The companys custom plans cost about $250 per year and ship in regular increments throughout your areas growing season. Their customer service team can also advise you as you get back to a healthy lawn.
- Lawnbright: Lawnbright is a DIY lawn care product subscription service. It focuses on products free of harsh chemicals and toxins to create a natural lawn. Lawnbright creates a custom plan for your lawn based on a soil test. Once your needs are understood, it sends along with easy-to-use products that attach directly to your hose. Its offerings include materials that help with reseeding. Lawnbrights custom plans cost around $200 a year.
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Thatch: A Barrier To Healthy Lawns
Thatch is a layer between the grass and the soil made up of interwoven accumulated dead and living grass shoots, stems, crowns, and roots. It creates a barrier between the soil and the green grass you so adore. A thin layer of thatch is goodabout a half-inch. It helps maintain steady soil moisture and temperature. It becomes problematic when its thicker.
Thatch can harm lawns. Its difficult for water to penetrate a thick thatch layer, causing water to run off instead of soaking in. It can harbor insects and lawn diseases, and grass may begin growing in the thatch layer instead of the soil, producing shallow root systems and exposing it to greater temperature extremes. It can block air, nutrients, and pesticides from reaching the roots.
You can tell if your lawn has a thatch problem when water runs off the lawn instead of soaking and youll begin to notice grayish-brown matts. To determine how much thatch has accumulated, cut out a wedge of lawn about two-inch deep. It should be fairly easy to identify the thatch layer between the soil and grass.
Contributing to thatch build-up are the three things you already do to maintain your lawn: mow, water, and fertilize. Compacted soil can also contribute to thatch build-up.
How Much Does Aeration Cost
Transitioning from summer to winter is when most homeowners start to stress about their lawn. Aeration is essential in maintaining a healthy, luscious lawn, punching through thatch buildup from all sorts of weather conditions, and providing grassroots with better access to essential nutrients. The question is, would you rather hire a professional or do it yourself? How much does aeration cost?
Professional aeration prices start at as little as $30 and can reach up to around $420 . The national average cost for lawn aeration is around $92. Aeration costs can be calculated per square foot, per project, per acreage, or hourly.
If you want your lawn aerated but are unsure of its cost, you are in the right place. This article will break down the aeration cost to give you a general idea of how much to budget for.
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Aerating your lawn annually helps the grass grow healthy, strong roots as it increases access to nutrients, air, and water. Typical aeration costs range from around $45 to $195. The national average is around +/- $130.
While it is possible to aerate the lawn yourself using rented equipment, having a professional perform the task is the safest and most effective way to go. Aeration experts know what to do and how to do it, saving you the time and money you may have to spend correcting possible mistakes.
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Should I Aerate Or Dethatch First
Dethatching before you aerate is generally recommended, as removing the thatch layer will leave more room for the core aerator to open up the soil to maximize root growth.
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What Is The Difference Between Dethatching And Power Raking
Power raking and dethatching are two completely different services and the difference between them often misunderstood. Both services offer a solution to similar problems, removing the thatch from your turf. Dethatching may sound like a general term for the process, whereas power raking sounds like a method to picking up leaves faster, both have specific meanings.
Some lawn care companies will interchangeably use the terms dethatching and power raking and if a customer asks for either one of the services, they generally will be provided a dethatching service. Most lawns require dethatching as opposed to a power raking service especially after a heavy snowpack sat on top of the lawn for several months.
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When And How To Aerate Your Lawn
In the north, aerate in early fall doing it in spring can damage tender grass shoots. Avoid aerating in fall when the grass is dormant. In the south, aerate in mid-spring to early summer.
Rent an aerator from a big-box store or equipment rental company. No need to invest in equipment that takes up space and youll only use once every couple of years. Bring your truck and the same friends who helped you haul the dethatcher. Consider sharing the rental cost with those same friends so they can aerate their lawns, too. Follow the manufacturers directions when operating the aerator.
Recommendations lean toward removing as many cores as possible20 to 40 per square foot at a depth of 23 inches. Run the aerator several times in different directions if youre not getting the recommended number of holes in one pass and to loosen up highly compacted soil. Before you begin, mark sprinkler heads and anything else that may be damaged while aerating.
Core aeration will leave cores of soil on the surface of your lawn. Just leave them. Theyll breakdown and the soil will work its way back down. Like dethatching, you may be a little embarrassed by how your lawn looks. It can take up to six weeks for grass to fill the resulting holes. Be strong. Its going to look so much better.
After your lawn is breathing easier, its the perfect time to overseed and fertilize using a slow-release fertilizer like Milorganite.
How Often Is Too Often For Detaching
Many different types of grass exist, which means thatch build-up may vary. However, most lawns require dethatching every year. Some lawns may last for up to five years before thatch builds up.
Therefore, dethatching will depend on how fast thatch builds up, usually one year for most lawns. Dethatching twice or thrice a year may end up damaging the grass. So it is best to determine whether your lawn needs dethatching by measuring the thatch thickness annually.
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Is It Better To Dethatch Or Aerate
Thatch build-up suffocates the roots, which may kill the grass. So, if the thatch is ½ inches thicker, it is best to dethatch to allow sunlight and air to penetrate the soil. Dethatching removes excess baggage from the soil and leaves the healthy layer on the surface.
Aeration is also good for your lawn as it releases the pressure and loosens the soil. This allows enough air and nutrients to penetrate the soil. With enough nutrients, moisture, and air, the grassroots will grow stronger and spread.
Both dethatching and aeration are good for your lawn as long as they are done correctly. Dethatching can, however, cause further damage to the grass if done the wrong way and time.
Rejuvenate Your Turf Get The Thatch Out
The Problem:If your lawn deteriorates to the extent that routine cultural practice, such as mowing, fertilizing and watering, do not give the desired response it is probably time to dethatch. By dethatching, it is possible to renew your lawn without going to the trouble and great expense of completely rebuilding it.
What is Thatch?Excessive thatch build up is usually the biggest threat to a homeowner’s lawn. Thatch is composed of intermingled layers of living and dead stems, leaves and roots between the green vegetation and the soil surface. Practically speaking, thatch is an organic material that does not decompose. A thin layer of thatch is normal, even healthy since it retains some moisture in the soil and increases wear tolerance. However, a thatch layer of ½ inch or more, prevents air, light, and water from reaching the turf’s root zone. As thatch accumulates, there is a tendency for root growth to occur primarily in thatch layer rather than the soil. This results in a weakened, poorly rooted turf that is prone to stress injury. Thatch also makes an excellent breeding ground for harmful insects and disease organisms.
The Solution:Dethatch the turf so that all the nutrients and water your grass needs can get down into the soil. It will make the grass lush, healthy, and beautiful.
We use professional power rakes to comb out the right amount of dead materials. Our machines have 52 revolving vertical blades that slice down through the grass and thatch evenly to the soil.
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Dethatching As Part Of Lawn Care
When prevention fails, the solution lies in dethatching. “Dethatching” a lawn refers to the mechanical removal from a lawn of a thatch layer that is too thick. Dethatching is not nearly as big a part of lawn care as is mowing. In fact, some homeowners may never need to dethatch the lawn. Some types of grass simply are not as susceptible to thatch build-up as others. For example:
- While Kentucky bluegrass is one of the cool-season grasses prone to developing too much thatch, tall fescue grass is far less susceptible.
- Among the warm-season grasses, you are more likely to have to dethatch Bermudagrass than zoysiagrass .
But when thatch does become a problem in a lawn, you should not overlook the importance of dealing with it, because the long-term health of your grass hinges on your finding a solution. The solution can take either of two forms: dethatching or core aeration.
