Our Complete Guide to Lawn Dethatching

If you’re in the process of preparing your garden for the spring, you’ll likely come across the term ‘lawn dethatching’. It’s never a bad time to tackle lawn dethatching, but spring is a common season to help generate some more growth and ensure your lawn is ready for the hotter months. But what exactly is lawn dethatching? Is it the same as lawn aeration, and why is it worthwhile for your lawn?

As mowing and lawn care experts, we at Jim’s Mowing have put together this easy and concise guide to answer your most-asked questions! We explain why lawn dethatching is important and how you can achieve stellar results at home.

What is Lawn Dethatching?

Lawn dethatching involves the removal of the thatch layer on your lawn. This thatch layer is made up of dead grass, roots, and plant material that has accumulated on the lawn, often due to overwatering, excess fertiliser, or compacted soil. While this layer can be highly beneficial to your lawn in the winter, protecting it from harsh frosts and helping to retain moisture, it can also prevent air, nutrients and water from reaching the roots of your lawn.

Why is Lawn Dethatching Important?

There are numerous benefits for dethatching your lawn! Some of the main benefits for dethatching include boosting air circulation, which helps promote drainage and avoid compaction. This is important as it helps prevent your lawn from becoming waterlogged and fungal diseases from emerging. As mentioned above, the thatched layer can prevent your lawn from accessing the nutrients it needs to grow and stay healthy.

Aside from the health benefits, lawn dethatching is also beneficial aesthetically. The thatch layer can make your grass appear thin, uneven and even brown and yellow. Dethatching is an easy way to ensure your lawn is looking great again!

How to Dethatch Your Lawn

What you’ll need

• Dethatching rake: ideal for small to medium-sized lawns
• Power dethatcher: for larger lawns or severe build-up
• Lawn aerator: reduces soil impaction and improves air flow
• Standard garden rake: on light thatch build-up
• Lawn mower with dethatching attachment: great on moderate-sized lawns

1. Choose the right time

Although it does depend on the variety of grass you have, usually the ideal time to dethatch your lawn is in early spring. If your lawn has minimal thatch, it’s best to only dethatch it once a year. However, if your lawn is often affected by thatch (which is thicker than half an inch) then it’s best to dethatch a couple times a year.

A good way to tell if dethatching is necessary is by doing the screwdriver test. This is where you insert a screwdriver into the soil in a few areas of your lawn and push it down as far as it will go. If it goes in easily with little resistance, this typically means that the soil is healthy and shouldn’t need dethatching. If, on the other hand, there’s a lot of resistance and it’s hard to get the screwdriver through, this is a sign of thatch build-up that probably needs to be addressed.

2. Pick your device: hand vs machine

From the list of tools above, select the best option for you. If you are using a dethatcher, please read the operating instructions carefully and dethatch your lawn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Alternatively, you can opt to dethatch by hand with a garden rake.

3. Mow your grass

Mow the grass to a short level as this will prevent damage to your grass and enable you to see the thatched layer easily.

4. Loosen the soil

Using your garden rake, loosen the soil slightly. This will help remove the thatch layer with less force.

5. Dethach with rake

If you are using a specialised dethatching rake, simply rake along the grass and the sharp teeth will loosen and remove the thatch. In the case of using an ordinary rake, you may need to apply more pressure to the grass and soil to bring up the thatch material. Pull the thatch off the lawn and dispose of it in a green waste bin.

6. Mow your grass again

To ensure all thatch is removed from the lawn, simply mow your lawn again.

7. Top dress your lawn

Following the dethatching of your lawn, apply top soil to your lawn and spread it evenly across the grass to replenish and protect your grass.

How to Prevent Thatch

While some thatching is considered normal, frequent and shallow watering, compacted soil, and the overuse of fungicides and fertilisers can lead to excessive build-up. You can help prevent thatching from occurring in your lawn by watering deeply (water the roots, not just the grass surface) and using your fertilisers in moderation. Performing regular lawn aeration is also recommended to prevent the soil from becoming compacted.

Lawn Care Pros

Not confident in dethatching your lawn yourself? You can get the trusted professionals at Jim’s Mowing to dethatch your lawn for you. Our team will be able to ensure your lawn is dethatched at the right time, and remove the layer of dead material without causing damage. Get in touch today to find out more about our extensive and comprehensive services, including hedge care, landscaping, gutter cleaning, and more.