Thatch is the living and dead organic material that is sandwiched between the soil and grass. Having thatch on your yard insulates the grass from harsh weather conditions and locks in moisture. A thatch layer over a half-inch will prevent fertilizer from being absorbed into the soil. In addition, pests thrive in thick layers of thatch. They are harder to remove from your yard with pesticides if you have too much thatch. To dethatch or remove the thick layer of thatch from your yard, you need a power rake. The difference between dethatching and power raking is the level that you set the blades on the power rake. Low blade levels rip out the thatch, while power raking rips through the thatch. A power rake can be rented from gardening supply stores.
Thatch
Thatch is the living and dead organic material that is sandwiched between the soil and grass. Having thatch on your yard insulates the grass from harsh weather conditions and locks in moisture. A thatch layer over a half-inch will prevent fertilizer from being absorbed into the soil. In addition, pests thrive in thick layers of thatch. They are harder to remove from your yard with pesticides if you have too much thatch. To dethatch or remove the thick layer of thatch from your yard, you need a power rake. The difference between dethatching and power raking is the level that you set the blades on the power rake. Low blade levels rip out the thatch, while power raking rips through the thatch. A power rake can be rented from gardening supply stores.
Power Rakes
Power rakes are rolled back and forth across the lawn. There are two types: manual and engine-powered. For those with bad backs, the engine-run power rakes can save a lot of stress on the back, especially if you have a large yard. The blades are set to slice through the thick layer of thatch. Blades can be adjusted on the lever on the engine base by rotating the knob. You should fill the engine with gasoline, according to the directions. Turn on the engine and push over your yard. As the blades rip through the thatch, you will see debris start to form on the top of the yard. The amount of thatch the power rake will pull up or rip through depends on how low you have the settings. It usually is best to remove the thatch in increments, because removing it all at once can produce too much damage to yards.
What Power Rakes Do
When you remove the thick layer of thatch from your lawn with a power rake, you allow for better air circulation. Many lawns suffer from fungal diseases that can be avoided with power rakes. Fertilizer, compost, soil amendments and water can easily be absorbed when the thatch is removed. Power rakes also get rid of winter debris and expose weed seeds. If a lawn is suffering from an overgrowth of weeds, it could be because the thick layer of thatch is preventing the grass from getting enough nutrients and sun. You can restore the health of your yard and improve the nutrients of your soil by power raking in early spring.
