Each time you mow the lawn some of the cut grass is left behind. Some of this may be grass seeds as well as other organic matter. Thatch usually consists of grass clippings as well as living and dead grass particles. If allowed to get thick enough, this thatch layer begins to cut off water, sun and nutrients to the lawn. The result is that your lawn begins to take on a brownish complexion because it’s being starved by the thatch. Not only that, but insects move in and take up residence in the nice safe thatch. They then spread out and attack the lawn while spreading diseases that further undermine the condition of the grass. In time the thatch will become so thick that it may even interfere with the ability of the mower to do its job.

Can thatch formation be stopped?

Thatch formation is inevitable since it’s impossible to retrieve 100% of the cuttings every time you mow the lawn. And it's equally impossible to prevent dirt, dead leaves, and other debris from being carried into your yard by the wind and settling into the lawn. While you can't prevent thatch formation, you can manage it but removing as much of the cuttings as possible after mowing and using a dethatcher for lawns at least twice a year. Also, go easy on the fertilizer. In most cases, the grass clippings left behind will break down and feed the soil so that nutrients can be absorbed by the roots which is often enough fertilizer. Adding more artificially may initially result in a thicker lawn, but when sunlight, nutrients, and water can't penetrate to get to the soil, you'll end up with more thatch than grass.

Do you really need a grass dethatcher?

It really depends on the type of lawn you have. Interestingly, some of the more "high-end" lawns also need the most maintenance while some of the garden variety lawns are also low maintenance. That being said, all lawns should ideally be dethatched at least once or twice a year. If for no other reason than to thin out the grass, aerate the soil, and give water and nutrients the ability to get into the soil and feed the root system. Keep in mind too that in most cases, the longer you wait to remove the thatch the more difficult the process will be. It may get to the point that you’ll need to both dethatch and aerate the soil to get lush growth happening again.

When should I dethatch my lawn?

The best time to dethatch the lawn is during periods of active growth. In most cases, you won't need to do this during the colder months, but you may want to avoid dethatching over the hot summer months too, when the ground is hard and dry. The best time for dethatching lawns is in the early spring or early fall when the ground is moist and relatively soft. But once again, when and how often you should dethatch your lawn also depends on the type of lawn you have. Thatch buildup is a relatively slow process in some lawns so you may only need to dethatch once a year or even once every couple of years. For other types of lawns, you may need to bring out the lawn dethatcher twice a year.

Tools - Page 6 of 174

It may be a poor craftsperson who blames their tools, but we have to admit, good tools can make any job easier and more enjoyable. Plus, investing in quality tools will pay dividends in years of trouble-free use. And whether you want to "cry once, buy one" when spending big money on the best torque wrench, or make a more budget conscious buy, we'll help with the best research, from our garage to your computer screen or phone.