A spongy, patchy lawn is a strong sign of excess thatch buildup. To fix it, you can use several dethatching methods, manual raking, power dethatchers, verticutting machines, or even liquid treatments.
Thatch is the layer of dead grass, roots, and debris that settles between your soil and the living grass above. When it gets too thick, it blocks water, air, and nutrients from reaching the roots, leading to a weak, unhealthy lawn. Removing that excess layer allows your grass to breathe, absorb what it needs, and grow back stronger.
In this article, you’ll learn about the four main dethatching methods, including what tools are needed, the time and effort involved, and how to choose the best option for you and your lawn.
Manual dethatching method
| Skill level: Moderate Cost: $27 to $75 for a dethatching rake. Estimated time: 2 to 6 hours (Depends on lawn size and your pace) |
Manual dethatching is best for small lawns or light thatch buildup. The primary tool you’ll need is a dethatching rake, which has sharp, saw-toothed or curved tines designed to dig into the thatch layer and pull it up. It’s a simple method, but it’s quite labor-intensive.
The first time I manually dethatched my lawn, it was a serious workout. I ended up with blistered hands, but the improvement in my lawn’s health over the next few weeks made it worth the effort.
What you’ll need:
- Dethatching rake
- Mower
- Leaf rake
- Protective gloves
- Lawn bags or a tarp
Steps:
- Before raking, mow. This makes it easier for the rake tines to reach into the thatch.
- Using the dethatching rake, rake the lawn with a lot of downward pressure. The motion is a bit different from normal leaf raking. You need to dig the tines into the thatch layer and then pull toward you, ripping up the tangled thatch. Work in one direction. Keep your back safe by using your legs and arms, and take breaks to avoid overexertion.
- If thatch is very thick, rake the lawn a second time at a 90-degree angle to your first pass. This cross-raking can loosen up the remaining thatch.
- After raking, you’ll have a layer of loosened thatch sitting on top of the grass. Rake up and bag the debris, or compost it as long as it’s not weedy.
- Finally, lightly water the lawn to help it recover.
Read more: Benefits of Dethatching Your Lawn
Power dethatching method
| Skill level: Moderate Cost: $100 to $170 (For a power dethatcher) Estimated time: 1 to 3 hours |
If the thought of scraping your entire lawn with a hand rake makes your arms sore already, a power dethatcher might be the best option for you. Also known as a power rake or lawn comber, this machine looks like a lawnmower, but instead of a single blade, it has a series of rotating tines or blades that dig into the thatch.
Using a power dethatcher is faster than doing it by hand. I rented an electric dethatcher and combed through my entire lawn in an hour. The machine pulled up so much thatch that my yard looked ugly. I thought I ruined it. But within a month, the grass filled in nicely, much thicker and healthier than before.
What you’ll need:
- Power dethatcher.
- Mower
- Leaf rake
- Protective gear (eye protection, sturdy gloves)
- Extension cord (if using an electric dethatcher)
Steps:
- Mow the lawn to give the machine better access to the thatch layer. Flag sprinkler heads, shallow irrigation lines, tree roots, and other shallow obstacles so you don’t accidentally hit them.
- Set the dethatcher height so that the blades or tines just barely dig into the soil surface. You want it to penetrate the thatch fully and scratch the soil a little, but not churn up lots of dirt. I always test the height on a small patch first, adjusting the height until it just pulls up mostly dead thatch and not too much green grass.
- Run the power dethatcher across your lawn in straight lines. Overlap each pass slightly to avoid leaving strips of thatch untouched between passes.
- If your thatch layer was very thick and the lawn still feels spongy after one pass, you can do a second pass at a right angle to the first. Cross-dethatching will pull up additional thatch, but it also increases the stress on the lawn, so only do it if necessary.
- Rake and remove debris with a leaf rake or a pitchfork with a tarp. Don’t leave the thatch clumps on the lawn as they will smother the grass if not removed.
- After cleanup, water the lawn lightly.
Read more: How Much Does Lawn Dethatching Cost?
Verticutting method
| Skill level: High Cost: Verticutter rental $88 per day Estimated time: 2 to 4 hours |
Verticutting is heavy-duty dethatching using a machine called a vertical mower (or verticutter). This method is used by lawn care pros and on golf courses, but you can rent a vertical mower if you have a large lawn with a serious thatch problem. A verticutter has steel blades mounted vertically on a rotating drum. As it moves over the lawn, these blades cut down through the thatch layer, slicing the thatch and bringing it to the surface.
Verticutting can remove a lot of thatch quickly, but it can also tear up your lawn if done improperly. I would only use this method if the thatch layer is very thick (an inch or more) or if the lawn hasn’t been dethatched in many years.
What you’ll need:
- Verticutter
- Mower
- Leaf rake, pitchfork, tarp.
- Protective gear (sturdy gloves, eye protection, and boots)
- Overseed supplies.
Steps:
- Mow the lawn before verticutting.
- Adjust the vertical mower so the blades will cut through the entire thatch layer but not too deep into the soil. You should see a little soil being brought up with the thatch, but the grass shouldn’t be completely ripped up from the roots.
- Verticut in one direction. The machine will pull itself forward. Guide it steadily, and don’t rush. Expect the lawn to look pretty brutalized during this process.
- Rake the debris and dispose of it.
- Overseed your lawn, focusing on areas that look thin or where you see a lot of soil. If you have compost or topsoil, you can topdress over the seed to help incorporate it.
- Water the lawn thoroughly and keep the soil consistently moist for the next few weeks to encourage the existing grass to recover and the new seed to germinate.
This is also a good time to fertilize gently. Experts at the University of Minnesota Extension recommend using about 1/2 to 3/4 pounds of nitrogen per thousand square feet, along with regular watering, to help your lawn recover after vertical mowing.
Read more: How to Overseed a Lawn
Liquid dethatching method
| Skill Level: Easy Cost: $30 to $45 (Depending on product and lawn size) Estimated time: 15 to 30 minutes per application |
Liquid dethatching is a newer and less labor-intensive approach that involves applying a liquid product to your lawn, which claims to break down thatch. These products contain enzymes or beneficial bacteria that accelerate the decomposition of the thatch layer. The idea is that by boosting microbial activity, you can “compost” the thatch in place without having to rake it out.
A word of warning, however: According to turfgrass experts at the University of Minnesota Extension, there is minimal scientific evidence that these products make a big difference.
What you’ll need:
- Liquid dethatcher
- Sprayer
- Water
- Rake
Steps:
- Mow before applying the liquid dethatcher. Then water the lawn lightly a day before or the morning of application. Damp thatch can help the solution penetrate and also create a favorable environment for microbes.
- Apply the liquid dethatcher following your product’s instructions for mixing and application. Be sure to cover the entire lawn area uniformly.
- After application, water the lawn.
- Reapply if needed or instructed, as many liquid dethatcher products suggest multiple applications per season.
Read more: When to Dethatch Your Lawn
Boost your lawn’s comeback
With the thatch out of the way, your lawn is ready for a fresh start. Overseeding and light fertilization can bring your grass back greener and thicker. LawnLove can connect you with a local seeding and fertilization professional to take your lawn from stressed to stunning.
Sources:
“How to control thatch in your lawn.” By Sam Bauer, Extension educator, Deborah Brown, and Don Taylor. University of Minnesota Extension.
Main Image Credit: AUFORT Jérome | Adobe Stock | License
Related Posts:
