
When should you use a lawn dethatcher?
- If you dethatch when the lawn is dormant it could damage the grass.
- Dethatching when you should scarify could cause trouble for your lawn.
- If you use a manual dethatcher it’s going to tire you out.
How to know if your lawn needs dethatching?
How to know if your lawn needs dethatching. To figure out if your turf needs dethatching, here is what to do: Walk across your lawn and feel the touch underfoot. The lawn will feel bouncy or spongy if there is a thick layer of thatch. After mowing or cutting off the top green grass, a lawn with thatch buildup will appear brown or yellowish.
When to fertilize after Thatching a lawn?
When to Fertilize After Thatching a Lawn?
- Thatch Gone Rogue. Certain types of grasses, such as zoysia and fine fescue, tend to produce dense thatch faster than others -- and a long, hot, dry summer can turn ...
- Recovery After Dethatching. ...
- Gently Does It. ...
- Dethatching Before and After. ...
Is it better to thatch or aerate your lawn?
Should I aerate or dethatch first?
- Thatch is the main problem these two processes address. ...
- It starts as a shallow layer of debris that makes your lawn feel spongy. ...
- Soon enough, your lawn will start suffering from thinning and slow growth due to poor water, air, and nutrient penetration through the thick core of thatch.

Is dethatching a lawn worth it?
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.
How often does a lawn need to be Dethatched?
Thatch builds up over time, so it's not necessary to dethatch every year. Plan on dethatching every five years or so if your lawn needs it. You might want to give your lawn a quick check every year just to see how much thatch has accumulated.
Is it better to aerate or dethatch?
It is best to dethatch first before aerating your lawn. Aerating is best done when there's the problem of compaction. Both dethatching and aerating your lawn will improve air, nutrient, and water penetration into the root zone of your grass. Thatch is the main problem these two processes address.
What is the best time to dethatch a lawn?
The best time to dethatch your lawn is when it's actively growing and the soil is moderately moist. For cool-season grasses, that's early spring or early fall. For warm-season grasses, dethatch in late spring through early summer (after the second mowing). That's when your grass is growing most vigorously.
Does dethatching ruin your lawn?
Dethatching Damage Spring dethatching hits a lawn hard when it is already in a precarious condition. Secondly, dethatching in the spring with power equipment can bring up crabgrass and other noxious weed seeds, setting your lawn up for a future infestation.
How long does it take for Dethatched grass to heal?
about 3-4 weeksAfter dethatching your lawn it is a great time to aerate your lawn. After aerating, overseed and fertilize with Milorganite®. It should take about 3-4 weeks for the lawn to recover and show signs of new growth.
Is aerating your lawn worth it?
No, it's not necessary to aerate your lawn every year, especially if your grass is healthy and thriving. Aeration is good if you've got compacted, poor or clay-heavy soil that's been impacted by heavy equipment or lots of foot traffic. It's also good to aerate if you are renovating a yard or installing a new one.
Should I mow before dethatching?
Mow the lawn a little lower than normal right before you dethatch. Make at least two passes over the lawn with the dethatcher to get all the thatch.
Should I fertilize or aerate first?
Should I fertilize or aerate first? In most cases, aerating is best before laying fertilizer as it allows for more oxygen and deeper growth of grass roots. If you have compact soil or clay soil, it is especially crucial to aerate before so that the fertilizer reaches deeper roots.
How do you get rid of thatch naturally?
0:222:49How to remove thatch from your lawn | Dethatching - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd most common method of thatch removal on home lawns is to simply drop the height on yourMoreAnd most common method of thatch removal on home lawns is to simply drop the height on your lawnmower. If your fetch is really thick this may have to be done gradually over a few most.
Is power raking and dethatching the same thing?
A dethatcher is a light-duty tool used to remove thatch that is up to 1/2-inch thick. A power rake is a heavy-duty garden tool primarily used by professional landscapers to lift and remove thatch that exceeds 1/2 inch in thickness.
What does thatch look like in lawn?
0:062:28**WHAT IS THATCH IN YOUR LAWN?!?!?! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is exactly what it looks like when thatch dies out it'll be very spotty. And it'll die inMoreThis is exactly what it looks like when thatch dies out it'll be very spotty. And it'll die in usually circle area so they'll be green green grass in between and this is all from thatch.
How much does it cost to dethatch a lawn?
Dethatching a fairly flat ½ acre lawn with no special requirement costs between $252 to $520 in the United States. Bigger lawns could take much longer to dethatch and may have other elements that drive the price up so have the contractor check the lawn out before signing a contract.
What equipment do I need to dethatch grass?
Some dethatching jobs can be completed with a simple rake while others need more expensive mechanical equipment such as dethatching machines or power rakes that can bore into the dead grass. These machines are mostly diesel or electrically powered and will drive the costs higher than simple tools.
Why is thatch bad for lawns?
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.
Why is it important to remove thatch from grass?
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.
Does dead weed affect landscaping?
A lawn with a mixture of dead weed, over an inch long of dead grass stems and compacted soil will require more effort and heavy raking or dethatching machinery. This has a direct effect on the amount of time spent by the contractor to complete the job meaning higher costs. Most landscaping companies will want to do a physical tour and see the amount of thatch to be worked on before they offer a final quote.
Is it hard to dethatch a lawn?
Generally, flat lawns with little to no obstacles make the dethatching job easy for the landscaping company and will cost less as compared to lawns with steep slopes, uneven patches, and lots of obstacles such as shade trees, walkways, and other land features. It’s generally harder to dethatch a lawn with steep slopes or anthill mounds, obstacles because the powered vertical machines need to be stopped and reconfigured in the middle of the job.
Can you dethatch a lawn in the winter?
It’s not recommended to dethatch a lawn during the rainy or winter season because the machine will end up removing a lot of the healthy grass beneath the grass. However, job-specific conditions, especially for lawns on commercial property may sometimes require that the dethatching is done at any time. Dethatching a lawn in the hot summer sun or a day or two after torrential rains is more complex and may take more time to complete which will affect the costs.
How much does a Lawn dethatching Service cost?
Our dethatching price starts at $125, but of course, pricing is based on the estimated amount of time that will take our team to complete your job. Things that will affect the estimated amount of time include property size, property layout, current landscaping condition, the complexity of the landscaping, and your requested scope of work.
What is dethatching?
Dethatching (or de-thatching) is a lawn service process that removes the layer of thatch, or dead grass, from your lawn. Our crew will use a professional yard dethatcher to power rake the yard and loosen up all the dead thatch. That thatch is then collected and hauled off your property.
What is the benefit of doing dethatching?
There are multiple benefits to having your lawn dethatched. While this one may sound obvious, one of the benefits is actually the prevention of the risks. By leaving large amounts in your yard, you risk suffocated grassroots, promotion of lawn disease, and can create dead patches in your lawn.
What is the best time of year to have my yard dethatched?
Similarly to core aeration and overseeding, dethatching is performed mid-Spring and mid-Fall. This time is ideal for dethatching as it allows the grass to recover quickly and allows new grass to fill in under the best conditions.
How often should I have my lawn dethatched?
You should check your lawns thatch layer at least twice a year. Detaching services should be performed when the thatch is greater than 1/4 inch thick. We recommend at least once every other season, in conjunction with your core aeration and overseeding program. The average home typically requires this service once every other year.
Do you rake up the dead grass afterward?
Yes, while a technician is navigating the yard dethatcher equipment, we have other crew members behind the machine cleaning up and hauling away any debris.
Why does my lawn look bare after dethatching?
The service itself removes any dead grass from the lawn, which can result in it more visible dirt; thus your lawn appearing barer. Seeing the exposed dirt proves that the dead thatch underneath was removed. Now the soil will be ready to soak up the sun, rain, fertilizer and new seed it needs to keep it healthy and flourishing.
How Much Does It Cost to Mow a Lawn per Acre?
The size of your yard is a major factor in the cost of mowing—after all, the more grass you have, the longer it takes to mow.
How Much Does It Cost to Have a Lawn Mowed Near You?
The average price for a professional to mow your lawn ranges between $50 and $210 per visit. Most companies charge a flat rate per visit for grass cutting based on hourly rates or the size of your property.
What Lawn Care Can I Get on My Budget?
As long as the lawn care crew is making regular appearances at your place, you might want to use their expertise for other maintenance tasks. Here are some other jobs to ask your lawn care pros about, and their national average costs:
How Much Does It Cost to Mow a Lawn Yourself?
Some homeowners love getting up early to mow the lawn and enjoy that fresh-cut smell all weekend. If that’s you, DIY lawn maintenance is a relatively inexpensive task—after the initial purchase of the mower.
What Factors Influence the Cost to Mow a Lawn?
The biggest factors in your lawn mowing costs are the lawn’s size and how often it needs to be mowed. Some companies will offer better rates if you sign a contract for the entire season rather than calling them as needed.
Lawn Mowing FAQs
Lawns are high maintenance. You can save time and money by mulching, composting, and planting species native to your area, so they keep alive with less TLC from you.
How much does it cost to remove leaves from a lawn?
Some professionals will charge an hourly rate, others will charge $10 per bag. Some may charge an hourly rate of $12-$15 plus a fee per bag ranging from $5 - $15. The cost of leaf removal depends on how large the lawn is, how many leaves you have, and how much it cost the professional to dispose of the leaves.
How much does it cost to aerate a lawn?
Lawn aeration costs $75 to $250 for an average home. Aerating your lawn brings a fresh look and feel and keeps it healthy, growing, and beautiful. The cost of aerating your lawn is mainly based on yard size.
Why is fertilizer important for lawns?
This is where fertilizer comes in. Fertilizing your lawn is the best way to improve the health and appearance of your lawn.Fertili zers contain the necessary minerals and nutrients that your grass needs to grow to its full potential. But it is important to note that different types of grass require different fertilizers.
How much does it cost to kill weeds?
Using weed killer is usually the more expensive route and cost closer to the $25 - $40 per hour mark since you are paying for labor and the chemicals. Many weed killers are environmentally safe and pet friendly, but some are not. Be sure to consult a lawn care professional before making decisions on which path to take.
How much does a landscaper cost?
Hiring a landscaper for various projects, you can expect to pay around $50 to $100 per hour.
How much does it cost to trim a tree?
Hiring someone to trim just one tree can cost up to $1,000, with $250 to $500 being the typical price range for trimming a tree. And keep in mind that those prices cover one-time service for just one tree. If you’ve got several trees around your house that need to be trimmed or trees must be trimmed several times a year, the bill will go up accordingly.
Can a lawn care company give you an estimate without seeing your lawn?
Lawn care companies that quote a price without seeing your lawn can’t be sure what you need and, therefore, can’t provide an accurate estimate. Top-quality lawn care providers will give you an estimate only after they’ve visited your home.
How much does it cost to overseed a lawn?
Overseeding your lawn via a professional usually cost around $1,200, which you saw in my lawn care pricing chart. Overseeding can boost the health and appearance of your lawn by encouraging the grass to continue growing even when older and problematic patches die.
How much does it cost to install sod?
Whether you are installing sod, or artifical turf, it’s a labor-intensive process which requires expensive materials to complete. You should expect to pay as much as $4,800 for this to be done professionally.
What is the process of aerating a lawn?
Lawn aeration is a process that puts holes in the soil that will allow more water and air to get to the grass roots. This promotes lawn health. Dethatching a lawn is another process that allows the lawn to breathe and get the nutrition is needs.
What happens if you don't take care of your lawn?
If your lawn doesn’t get the care and maintenance it needs, you will end up with a variety of problems, such as pests, browning, ugly thin patches, and even lawn diseases. Your grass can eventually die, as well. You don’t want to end up in this situation, so make sure you learn about all the care your lawn needs and the steps you can take ...
Why is fertilization important for lawns?
Lawn Fertilization. Fertilizing your lawn is necessary because it will help ensure your lawn stays healthy all year. When deciding on what kind of fertilization you will choose for your lawn, consult with your landscaping professional or lawn care company.
How much does it cost to install a sprinkler system?
Installation of Sprinkler System. To have a sprinkler system installed professionally, you will need to pay between around $1,700 and $3,400. The size of your lawn, the number of garden beds, obstacles, and even the type of soil you have can all impact the cost of installing a sprinkler system.
Do you charge an hourly fee for grass cutting?
You will usually be charged a flat rate instead of an hourly fee for grass cutting. Of course, the larger your property, the higher the flat rate will probably be. Contact a lawn care professional or company for a specific quote. I recommend getting a quote from 3 different companies.
