About Lawn Thatchers
Thick, luscious lawns are the prize of any home's landscape. Green turf that gives a home both curb appeal and backyard enjoyment takes time and hard work. One of the must-have tools to maintain a healthy lawn is a lawn de-thatcher. Thatch may develop as the lawn grows until its root system becomes so dense that the grass grows too closely together, preventing water, light and air from reaching the soil. Use a lawn de-thatcher to remove the thatch build-up in the lawn. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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Lawn thatch develops as grass grows, replacing the old brown grass and its roots with new growth. Thatch can be identified as the brown under layer of grass that is green up top. The renewal process that grass naturally goes through leaves behind collected debris that is often still connected to the individual grass shoots.
Assess your lawn for thatch build-up by pulling up a small section of grass. Look for the density of the dead plant material between the green grass growth and its root system beneath the soil layer. If the thatch measures nearly an inch, it's definitely time to de-thatch.
Theory
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The concept of lawn de-thatching is to rake up the dead plant material lodged in beneath the top layer. The grass matter is cut to release it. Rake across the lawn in one direction--and not back and forth--so that the grass is not dislodged from the soil. It doesn't take many strokes to get the desired result.
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The Choices
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There are several choices of lawn de-thatchers available. De-thatching can be done using a classic thatching rake, but other options may make the job a little easier. De-thatchers resemble vertical mowers equipped with lawn knives, and de-thatching attachment pieces are available for ride-on mowers and power tillers.
There are also compact and electric-powered de-thatchers. Though they generally have a narrower cutting path than the larger models, they are ideal for small to medium lawns.
Or, you can bypass the labor by using a natural liquid de-thatcher. These are usually formulations of beneficial microbes that eat away the thatch.
Features
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Lawn de-thatchers may rotate, much like a manual push mower, while others are equipped with tines that literally power rake through the thatch. There are the front-mounted and tow-behind or rear-mount models specifically designed for the different brands of ride-on mowers or tractors. There are even combination mower and de-thatcher units available.
The average width of the de-thatcher's working span is 40 inches. The tines are adjustable to the desired depth, so they can reach through thick thatch. The space between the tines can also be adjusted.
Safety
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Operate a lawn de-thatcher according to the manufacturer's specifications. Each lawn de-thatcher may have slight variations to other models, and understanding the machine before use will reduce the chance of serious injury. Wear eye protection when operating a lawn de-thatcher.
Considerations
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After the thatch is raked away, the lawn may look bare for a few weeks. This is the purpose behind de-thatching the lawn. As the extra spaces within the grass allow new roots to grow new grass shoots, the overall appearance and health of your lawn will improve.
Recycling glass clippings back into the lawn does not cause thatch development. Rather, recycling glass clippings is an inexpensive and effective way to add nutrients back into the soil for a healthier lawn.
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References
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