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160 Homeowners Share How Often They Dethatch Their Lawns
How often should you dethatch your lawn? That question stirs the pot a bit. Some swear against it, and then there are those who keep to a dethatching schedule. You can see in some of the written survey responses how people feel about the topic:
"I never dethatch. Too many people jump on the bandwagon, buy a product, and do it because they heard through the grapevine that that's what they should be doing."
And then:
"I thatch every year. My lawn definitely needs it."
Turns out, both can be right. Many people fall somewhere in between.
Key Findings
# 71 respondents (44.3 percent) of homeowners said they dethatch only when their lawns need it, the top spot.
# 47 respondents (29.3 percent) say they dethatch once a year.
# Only five respondents dethatch at least twice a year.
What is Thatch?
Thatch is the layer of dead grass, roots, and other organic material sitting between the surface of your soil and the top of your grass. A little thatch is no issue. A thin layer that's less than an inch thick can help with some of the following:
Increasing soil retention
Helping decrease erosion
Preventing weeds
Mitigating compaction
Protecting grass during extreme temperatures
However, when your thatch layer gets too deep, it can keep water, nutrients, and air from reaching the soil and the grassroots. This issue can lead to several lawn problems as your lawn will struggle and become more susceptible to pests and diseases.
What is dethatching?
Dethatching is the process of removing this excessive thatch layer to restore a healthy balance in your lawn. Several dethatching tools are available, but regardless of the tool you use, the goal is to cut through the thatch so it can be lifted away from the soil surface, allowing your lawn to breathe more freely and absorb nutrients more effectively.
The benefits of dethatching include increased infiltration of water, uptake of nutrients, and, in turn, better root development, all of which add up to a healthier, more resilient lawn.
It can be back-breaking work. Honestly. But dethatching makes a difference if it's needed. It will help turn your lawn into a green carpet that adds curb appeal and makes your home a great place to unwind.
A note of caution: dethatching can be stressful on a lawn and should not be performed on warm-season grasses like Saint Augustine or Bermuda. It's also a process that should be avoided during extreme heat or when actively growing seedlings.
How Often Should You Dethatch?
How often you should dethatch your lawn depends on your grass type, your soil type, your climate, and your lawn care practices. Different types of grass have different tendencies to accumulate thatch, and the extent of that tendency can help you determine when you should dethatch your lawn.
Grass types that accumulate thatch more quickly
Homeowners with cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass and Creeping Bentgrass are more likely to need to dethatch after a growing season. There isn't a hard or fast rule, and even though some professionals may advise dethatching once a year with these types of grasses, it's also a good idea to look at how deep your thatch layer is before removing it.
It's best to hire a professional if you're looking to use a vertical mower, or "dethatcher," to remove your thatch. If you dug up the thatch layer and it's more than half an inch thick, simply raking your lawn to remove the excess thatch may be more than enough.
Be careful if you rent a vertical mower and take a do-it-yourself approach. It's easy to damage the grass as you remove the thatch.
With warm-season grasses, Bermudagrass is a more likely culprit for thatch. Its fast growth habits mean it can build a thatch layer that may need more attention.
Most of our survey-takers had the right idea: only dethatch when your lawn needs it. Keeping an eye on your lawn and dethatching only when the thatch layer exceeds half an inch is a good call.
Soil Type and Climate Conditions
Soil type and climate can also significantly influence thatch. Lawns with heavy clay soils can develop thatch more rapidly because the clay particles can reduce the rate of breakdown of organic materials. Lawns in humid climates can also create more thatch because of the higher grass growth rates.
Lawn Usage and Maintenance Practices
The way you use and manage your lawn can also affect thatch accumulation. Foot traffic or frequent mowing with a dull mower blade can result in thatch accumulations. Over-fertilizing with nitrogen-rich fertilizers can also promote excessive growth, building up thatch.
Proper lawn care is always the best step to prevent unhealthy thatch build-up. Using slow-release fertilizers and regularly sharpening your mower blade will help manage thatch accumulation and reduce the need for frequent dethatching.
Keep these tips in mind:
Continually assess the thatch layer before deciding to dethatch.
Choose the right time based on your grass type and local climate conditions.
Follow up dethatching with proper lawn care, such as aeration, overseeding, and appropriate fertilization.
Tools Needed for Dethatching
You can dethatch your lawn with hand tools or a power rake. Each tool has its advantages and disadvantages. The method you select depends on the size of your lawn, how severe the thatch problem is and your personal preference.
Manual Dethatching Tools
A dethatching rake is similar to the standard garden rake but with curved, sharp blades in the middle to pull the thatch up and out. It is suitable for small lawns or spot treatments. It is more physically demanding and precise, so the work is limited to a specific area. It is also cost-effective.
Power Dethatching Tools
A vertical mower, or dethatcher, is a power tool that uses a set of blades or tines to slice into the thatch and lift it to the surface. Power dethatchers are ideal for large lawns and can significantly reduce the time and effort required to dethatch. They can be rented from garden centers and home improvement stores if you don't want to buy one.
Quick Summary
Dethatching Frequency | Number of Respondents | Percentage |
Only when needed | 71 | 44.3% |
Once a year | 47 | 29.3% |
Twice a year or more | 5 | 3.1% |
We asked 160 homeowners how often they dethatch their lawns. The survey results showed that most homeowners dethatch their lawns when it is needed. Only five said they detach twice a year.
We also discussed how often homeowners should dethatch and the tools needed to keep a lawn healthy. As always, the first step is to maintain a healthy lawn. Keep your mower blades sharp, use slow-release fertilizer, and consult a professional if needed.
