How to Use a Thatching Rake
Get your lawn in top condition by removing the harmful buildup of dead grass, debris and moss that accumulates on the ground with a thatching rake. Sometimes called dethatching rakes, these rakes have crescent-shaped tines that pull through your lawn to dig up and remove thatch without harming your grass. They are also useful for removing moss from your yard or mulch beds. While you can thatch your lawn any time of year, spring thatching gives its plenty of time to recover and become healthy green grass again by summer. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Thatching rake
- Yard rake
- Tarp
- Grass seed
- Drop spreader
- Garden hose or sprinkler
Instructions
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Position the rake with the tips of the curved tines slightly buried in the ground. Grip the rake's handle with both hands.
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Pull the rake forward through the grass. Comb the grass toward yourself, stepping back with each stroke as you would when using a common yard rake. The pointed ends of the rake lift the grass and debris, while the flared middle pulls it onto the surface to the lawn.
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Comb the lawn in small sections. Repeat the raking process as you move across the entire area to be thatched.
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4
Remove moss from lawns and mulch beds using the same process. Place the curved tines of the thatching rake on top of the moss and pull the rake forward. The tines will lift off the patches of moss.
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5
Collect the thatch in small piles using a yard rake. Rake those piles onto a tarp for disposal. Do not allow piles of thatch to remain on the lawn.
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Reseed your lawn using a drop spreader. Pour grass seed into the spreader's hopper. Adjust the controls to set the spread pattern and amount. Each spreader operates slightly differently; some have an adjustable dial while others use a lever. Follow the manufacturer's directions found on the product bag for best application times and amounts.
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Comb the grass seed into the lawn using the yard rake.
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Water the lawn thoroughly and regularly after thatching, using a garden hose or sprinkler.
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Tips & Warnings
Thatching gives the lawn a bit of a torn-up look for awhile. However, if you thatch in the early spring before the grass starts growing, your lawn will recover more quickly.
Mow the grass prior to thatching. This allows easier access to the dead grass and debris on the ground under the actively growing grass.
To thatch larger lawns, rent a dethatching machine or hire a professional to do the job for you.
The pointed ends of a thatching rake are sharp. Step back as you rake to keep your feet out of harm's way.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
