Lawn mower rake blade. Dethatching blade vs power rake: Which way

Dethatching blade vs power rake : Which way?

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We have been discussing lawn maintenance in our blog quite often (see all the posts we have done in the last few months here).

But there is one question that we are yet to address even though it seems to be bothering a significant number of our readers: dethatching blade vs power rake.

You see, you may, from time to time, want to remove thatch from your yard- remember that excessive thatch buildup can lead to poor lawn health because the accumulated thatch prevents essentials such as water, air, and fertilizer from reaching your grass roots.

That is where the dethatching blade vs power rake debated comes up- you can purchase/rent a power rake or get a specialized dethatching blade for your lawn mower (these can efficiently remove thatch too).

So, should you go for a dethatching blade or rent/buy a power rake?

Below we take a closer look at each of the two options including how each works and when you should use each.

Overview of Dethatching Blades

Dethatching Blades mostly resemble regular lawnmowing blades but have tines (plastic) or springs (metal) that hang down.

It is the tines/springs that whip the accumulated thatch out of your yard as you drive the mower over your grass.

Can a Dethatching Blade work?

In general, the specialized dethatching blades that are usually sold as a lawn-mower attachment are only moderately effective when it comes to removing the dead thatch layer from lawns.

In truth, if not set up correctly, the dethatching blade sometimes ends up cutting your grass rather than de-thatching the dead grass layer underneath.

Reason? Most of the blades don’t go deep enough.

Plus, some are not sturdy enough for the job and can break before you finish going over your back yard particularly for lawns with a massive layer of dead grass/thatch.

How to get the most out of dethatching blades

If you must use a blade to dethatch, try to follow the dethatching directions that come with the blade- each manufacturer will have easy-to-follow instructions to help you install it and do the job right.

That said, setting the lawn mower to its lowest setting helps the blade touch the ground (and get to the thatch).

On the other hand, you can set your mower a bit higher when dethatching the greener parts (those with just a moderate layer of thatch) – it tends to do a better job of removing thatch at this setting while leaving your live grass mostly unharmed.

When to use a dethatching blade

Despite the shortcomings, still there are instances that using a dethatching blade would make more sense.

This is primarily when you just have a minor thatch problem- you have very light thatch plaguing your yard.

Don’t forget that it is the less expensive option as well and it could be viable if the idea of buying an expensive tool that you’ll hardly be using doesn’t excite you (power rakes are costlier if you’re looking to buy).

What is the best dethatching blade?

Since our goal is to arm you with all the vital information – it is the only way you can make a decision you won’t regret later- here is what you should know about the available types of dethatching blades:

Now, there are two key varieties of dethatching blades;1) those with metal springs 2) Those with nylon trimmer-line attachment.

Type 1: Dethatching blade with metal spring attachment

These are the most popular option.

They do a great job when it comes to the removal of light thatch from smaller areas.

importantly, the spring tines (hanging down the blade) tend to be gentler on grass.

Furthermore, you can even put the thatch you dethatch with your spring tines attachment in rows for easier pick up.

Type 2: Dethatching blade with nylon trimmer-line attachment

Any blade with a nylon trimmer-line attachment usually destroys healthy grass and is best avoided.

Note that they use the lengths of their nylon trimmer line/cord as tough bristles when dethatching lawns, leading to possible damage.

Overview of a Power Rake

A power rake features many tines/blades – these are fixed and look pretty similar to the ones you find on garden machines such as roto-tillers.

The fitted knife-type blades slices through the dead debris and other organic material sitting underneath the surface as you push it over the yard (or tow it behind your tractor).

It’s worth mentioning that the tines/blades rotate as its wheels spin (the tine-controlling gear turns once the wheels start to spin) triggering the dethatching action.

Does a Power rake really work?

I won’t mince words here: of the two, a power rake is certainly the more suitable option for dense thatch removal (works amazingly well when thatch is really thick).

One of the best things about the machine is that you can adjust the blades to your desired height so as to cut and lift thatch without hurting your live grass/grass roots.

When to use a power rake

In a nutshell, the more ideal tool to remove humongous amounts of thatch from severely distressed lawns is the power rake.

Put another way, this is your go-to tool if your yard looks mostly yellow because of terrible thatch infestation.

The major downside is the cost- I already mentioned that these machines are mainly designed for commercial purposes so their are comparatively higher.

On top of that, power raking is a more aggressive thatch removal technique and it is likelier to hurt the grass.

For this reason, your grass may need more time to heal from the process compared to when you remove thatch using a dethatching blade.

Dethatching blade vs power rake – recap

On the whole, a power rake is the better tool to use to get rid of thatch and works wonderfully well even where the thatch is really thick.

On the other hand, you may opt for a dethatching blade and get decent results for light thatch problems on small properties.

Dethatching Blade vs Power Rake – Which One Is Better in 2023?

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As the snow melts and your lawn becomes visible again, you may be thinking of the best way to make it look its best come summertime. There are many ways to do this, including seeding grass, filling your flower beds with potting soil, and repairing any damage winter has done to paved areas.

What about the plain old grass?

Your lawn is comprised of several layers below the actual grass cover itself, and these layers need to be properly treated if you want an attractive yard though springtime.

First, of course, is the grass, which grows through a layer of dead and decomposing material called thatch, and into the soil.

To properly root and grow, grass needs to be rooted in the soil. Thatch does not contain the nutrients needed for promoting growth. It is loose enough that grass rooted in thatch can easily be torn out even by casual walking or animal activity.

Additionally, the thatch layer is generally the host to a number of damaging varieties of insect life. This is often the greater threat to your lawn in the long run, although not actually a part of the thatch layer itself.

Although some novices try to counter these problems by way of adding fertilizer or applying pesticides. Seasoned gardeners will instead opt to scarify the lawn in question by thinning out the thatch layer. This encourages grass to regrow deeper into the soil beneath.

The tool of choice for this task is a dethatching blade (aptly named). One can also use a power rake for this purpose, although the two are not identical.

Here, we will decide between a dethatching blade and power rake based on the versatility of each tool, their effectiveness at encouraging lawn growth, average cost, and ease of use.

Keep in mind that while these tools are not identical, they share many characteristics. If you cannot find the one you prefer you may still find your needs met by the other.

Power Rake

The power rake is a relatively light tool, intended to remove embedded debris before you begin your spring landscaping. It breaks up soil fused together by the winter weather and aerates the yard to promote future growth.

It is recommended to combine power raking with a relatively low mowing of no more than one and a half inches for maximum effect. This will smooth over the lawn surface, remove the remaining debris, and stimulate the grass to grow into the loosened soil.

Power raking is generally quite simple, especially with the advent of the electric rake. These appliances are readily available for rent or purchase and complete the job in a single pass across the yard.

Power rakes are largely thought of as being foolproof and can be operated with little or no previous experience. Since they do not score the lawn as deeply as the dethatching blade, they are not as hard to move and can be operated with little more effort than the average lawn mower.

Pros

• Light
• Cheaper than dethatching blade
• Staple tool for regular use
• Does not destroy root structure
• Requires no further treatment

Dethatching Blade

The dethatching blade is used in a more aggressive manner. It can be a stand-alone tool as well as an attachment to a mower or power rake.

It cuts far deeper into the lawn which means it may harm the existing plant life while excising the offending thatch. Real dethatching is more labor intensive than power raking.

After the job is finished you will likely have to follow up with lawn damage control steps to repair your lawn.

Dethatching as a process is not applied as casually as power raking, and the two procedures serve different purposes. Power raking is a preemptive treatment to prepare the lawn for spring.

Dethatching is a reparative treatment that is intended to remove a harmful buildup of thatch and should only be applied when it has been determined that such a condition exists.

A dethatching blade is generally longer than a power rake and will scrape up considerably more yard waste by volume. Even a small lawn can fill the bed of a pickup truck if the thatch layer is thick enough.

Dethatching blades are considered specialist tools and are generally more expensive than a power rake, but that is for the blades alone. Power rakes often come in the form of a large pushing tool, similar to a lawnmower or wheelbarrow, and will cost more if purchased in this manner.

While mowing follows a power raking, a lawn in need of dethatching should be mowed beforehand to ensure that the dethatching blades penetrate deeply enough to cut through the entire thatch layer in one go.

Dethatching is done in at least two passes at perpendicular angles. After the dethatching is completed the lawn will require additional work, like adding fertilizer or seed to assure the lawn will properly recover from the process.

Pros

• Can repair serious thatch conditions
• Serves to aerate the lawn as well
• Does not require the purchase of an entirely new tool
• Removes more debris
• Breaks through tougher obstructions

Cons

• Damages a lawn far more than a power rake
• Is only useful under specific circumstances.

The Winner

In the eyes of the layman or even an experienced lawn care professional, the power rake will routinely take first place. Dethatching is your option as the need arises.

Use it routinely and you run the risk of subjecting your lawn to damage as dethatching blades cut deep. Less is more.

The power rake can be used year after year, giving a better return on your investment. It is always suitable for lawns that don’t need dethatching.

Another significant draw of the power rake is that despite the somewhat lessened thatch reduction, it will not damage a lawn to the point of needing further care; the dethatching blade will cut deeply to uproot plants and damage the root network of your grass cover, requiring you to expend greater time and resources in the long run to ensure that it returns to full health.

Do Dethatching Lawn Mower Blades Work? (Quick Read)

Sometimes automation is not all it’s cracked up to be, and that’s certainly the case with dethatching lawn mowers – which according to experts do not seem to work.

Dethatching lawn mower blades are meant for smaller gardens, but are ineffective. So if you have under 1/2 inch of thatch it’s best to get a rake and do it by hand. For larger gardens with over half an inch of thatch you can use a power rake, which is a more robust machine.

Let’s consider what dethatching is, when and why you need to do it, and look at alternatives to dethatching lawn mowers.

What is Dethatching Do I Need To Do It?

Thatch is the layer of plant stems, both dead and alive, and organic debris that forms below the green grass tips and above the soil. Over time, too much thatch will kill grass shoots, resulting in a lawn with patchy, brown spots.

To determine your amount of thatch, use a sharpshooter shovel and dig into your lawn, down to the soil, then look at the cross section. Experts say that over 1/2 inch of thatch can be unhealthy for your lawn. If you have one inch or more of thatch, then you need to act.

Dethatching can help your lawn stay healthy. When thatch is too thick, your watering becomes ineffective – water can’t reach the roots. Pest insects and pathogens can set up a home in thatch. Excessive thatch weakens the lawn’s natural tolerance to disease and dry spells.

Lawns with heavy thatch are brown. Dethatching allows new grass shoots to grow into the dethatched gaps, giving you a lusher, greener lawn.

For southern lawns, experts recommend dethatching your lawn in the spring, every 1 or 2 years. Plan to dethatch your lawn just when the grass starts to green up. If you can’t dethatch in the spring, fall is the second-best time.

For northern lawns, dethatch in late summer or early fall. For expert advice on dethatching timing, call the Agricultural Extension office in your area.

For dethatching lawns, you can use a normal rake, a hand-held dethatcher rake, get a dethatching blade that fits on your lawn mower, use a dethatcher machine (or scarifier, vertical lawn mower or verticutter) or use a power rake.

Do Thatching Mower Blades Work? (What Are they?)

Exerts and homeowners alike say no, dethatching mower blades are not the best way to dethatch your lawn.

Dethatching mower blades are quite different from regular mowing blades. Regular mowing blades are mostly flat and slice through grass.

Dethatching mower blades, like the one in this video, have tines or spikes that stick out perpendicular to the blade and cut down into the thatch like a knife, slicing it up.

How To Dethatch a Lawn With a Mower Attachment

If you do still want to give it a go with a dethatcher despite the experts advice – then proceed with caution. Here are some steps to follow:

Firstly – stop watering your lawn. Wait until the lawn has dried completely and then mow your lawn to a low level. If your grass is long, use a grass catcher. Then, detach the grass cutting blade.

Read and follow the instructions carefully for the dethatch blade. Some instructions recommend that you take out the spark plug for safety.

Set the mower on a hard surface, like cement, and take a look at the tine clearance. Cell phone cameras are good for this or raise the grass catcher door. Raise or lower the mower wheels until the tine clearance is 1/4 to 1/2 inch. The height of the tine is key. Too low, and you will dig into dirt. Too high and the mowing will be ineffective.

Empty the grass catcher and put it back on. Pick a test brown patch. Mow over the test patch and see whether the tine is thinning the thatch. Check inside the catcher, if you have one. Do you have cut up thatch inside? Dirt?

If the tine is cutting down into the soil, then it needs to be raised a little. Make height adjustments using small test patches until the tine is thinning the thatch but not digging into the dirt.

Then, get your earbuds and eye protection on, and do the entire lawn. Cut thatch (and there will be lots of it) makes great compost. Be sure to water it a little more than normal grass clippings, as thatch is drier.

Should I Use a Power Rake Instead?

If you have thatch over 1/2 inch thick and a large lawn, use a power rake.

Power rakes are different from dethatchers, although there is some confusion about the definitions. Most experts agree that dethatchers are smaller machines, appropriate for small lawns. Dethatchers will work well if you have a small amount of thatch – up to 1/2 inch. Dethatchers may look like small lawn mowers, but the blade system is different.

Dethatcher tines don’t spin around a central point like dethatcher mower blades. On a dethatcher, rows of tines or blades rotate around a long cylinder, like a tiller. The dethatcher blades cut parallel to the direction the machine is going – no crop circles.

Power rakes are larger, and heavier, machines. They can remove much more thatch than dethatchers. Their blades can be flail types or solid knife types. Generally, power rakes are for thick thatch problems and large lawns.

Power rakes can be aggressive. Be sure to rake at times when your lawn can recover before stressful times of the year, like hot summers or freezing cold winters.

How To Dethatch a Lawn With a Power Rake

First, test a small area with the highest rake setting. Check the results – did it remove all the thatch? If not, lower the rake by one setting and test again.

When you are satisfied that the rake is on the best setting, run the rake in one direction over the entire lawn. Collect all the thatch and debris by hand with a rake or with a lawn mower with a bag attachment. If the thatch debris is dry, you can try to blow it into a pile or onto the street where you can sweep it up.

Once the debris is clear, run the rake in the opposite direction across the lawn. Then, clear the debris. Here’s a great video.

Thatch debris is great for your compost bin and there will be giant piles of it.

Final Thoughts

You asked a very clear question to find this article: ‘Do Dethatching Lawn Mower Blades Work?’ – and the answer according to most experts in a resounding ‘no’.

There are better ways to thin the thatch on your lawn, especially if you have a smaller garden with under half an inch of lawn thatch. In this instance, using a rake and some good old fashioned elbow grease is the best option.

And if your lawn is bigger – and has a deeper layer of thatch over half an inch think – then choosing a power rake is the more effective way of getting the optimum results.

Homeowner and property investor Larry Jones founded Take a Yard in 2020 to bring you the very best outdoor living content, based on his years of experience managing outside spaces. Read more

About UsHi, I’m homeowner and property investor Larry Jones. I founded Take a Yard to bring you the very best outdoor living content. Read

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How to Properly Dethatch a Lawn With a Mower Attachment

A green, luscious lawn is the prize of any home or business. Every day, people spend time clipping their grass, setting a timer on the watering system, and spreading fertilizer. Lawns are the foundation for any beautiful landscape.

There is a little known fact about growing grass that involves something called thatch. Thatch is a hidden component that can create eye-catching green grass. But, too much of a good thing could cause problems.

In this article, we are discussing what thatch is and why it’s essential, the process of dethatching, and how to dethatch a lawn with a mower attachment.

Table of Contents

What is Thatch?

Thatch is a layer of organic material found where grass stems meet the roots. It consists of crowns, roots, stem nodes, and vascular tissues. In the right amounts, it’s very beneficial to grass growth.

The breaking down of organic material creates an environment readily able to take in nutrients and water. When thatch is at the right levels, it is loose and provides protection and nutrients to the soil.

Thatch heats up and dries out quickly. It can also lead to mower scalping.

Grass clippings left on the lawn after mowing do not create thatch. It occurs naturally over time. All yards have a thatch layer, but certain grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass or Bermuda grass are more prone to thatch buildup.

What Does Thatch Look Like on a Lawn?

When you look at your lawn, you probably won’t see thatch. The best way to know how much thatch you have is by doing a little digging.

Choose an inconspicuous area to dig up a small portion of your lawn. You will be analyzing the spongy brown area just beneath the surface of the soil.

A healthy layer of thatch will be no more than half an inch thick. If your layer is one inch or more, your lawn will suffer.

Do You Really Need to Dethatch Your Lawn?

Dethatching your lawn is a personal choice. One that could give you the yard you’ve always wanted.

Dethatching a lawn is the process of thinning the thatch layer. It allows nutrients and water to reach the grass’s roots. Dethatching also helps keep those pesky weeds at bay by promoting more grass growth.

If you choose not to dethatch, your lawn can begin to turn brown. The grass will not get the nutrients it needs to grow because the layer of thatch will begin to act as a barrier.

This barrier will create an environment for fungus and mold to grow. It will also suffocate the roots because air is unable to enter and travel through the soil.

For more information about why you should consider dethatching your lawn, check out this article from the University of Washington.

Can Dethatching Hurt Your Lawn?

Dethatching can hurt your lawn if it is not done correctly or at the right time. The first thing is to determine if your lawn truly needs dethatching. Deciding this is done by either taking a lawn sample or consulting with a professional lawn care expert.

Dethatching your lawn in the spring is not recommended. Often, springtime is when people are anxious to get outside and begin preparations for a beautiful landscape. The problem is that there are parts of your lawn that may still be dormant from the winter.

If you dethatch in the spring, you can rip up dormant grass or hurt grass already beginning to wake from their winter nap. Grass could become injured and unable to recover from the process of dethatching. You could also awaken noxious weeds you were trying to avoid.

So when should you dethatch your lawn? To avoid hurting your lawn, dethatch in the fall and only if needed.

Is Dethatching the Same as Aerating?

Most people know about aerating. It is common to aerate your lawn each year after the threat of frost. Aerating your lawn is beneficial, but it is not the same as dethatching.

The process of aerating will leave small holes in your soil. Those holes allow for air, water, and essential nutrients to enter and flow through the soil. To aerate your lawn, you will use a special implement that is either pushed over your lawn or pulled behind your riding mower.

Dethatching your lawn is similar to aerating, but the difference lies in what dethatching removes from the soil. A thick layer of thatch can suffocate the grass’s roots, so the process of dethatching thins out the thatch layer.

You can water, fertilize, and seed your lawn after aerating and dethatching. Just remember that if you have a thatch problem, aerating will not fix it. You must dethatch.

How to Use Mower Blades to Dethatch Your Lawn

We have established what thatch is and how it affects lawns across the world. Now, let’s look at how to dethatch. Specifically, by using a mower blade.

Do Mower Dethatching Blades Really Work?

The simple answer is yes. Dethatching mower blades can be very efficient at getting the job done. Our advice is to choose wisely before making a purchase.

You can purchase blades that have nylon tines or metal ones. There are attachments for mowers, or you can purchase a machine designed just for dethatching lawns.

With the variety of dethatching blades on the market, you have many workable options to get your job completed efficiently.

How to Dethatch With a Push Mower

Dethatching your lawn with a push mower is pretty simple. There is some work involved by changing the blades, but the result can give you a lawn the entire neighborhood will want.

Follow these steps, and you will be dethatching like a pro.

• You will need to purchase dethatching blades for a walk-behind mower. Be sure to purchase a blade that fits the deck width of your mower.
• Remove the existing blade from your mower.
• Install the dethatching blade onto your push mower.
• Turn on the mower and begin making passes across your lawn.

When using a push mower, you have the option of using a bagger or not. If you do not have a bagger, you’ll need to rake up and discard the thatch from your lawn. Don’t leave this lying on top of your lawn because it will kill the grass, and it typically looks unsightly.

How to Dethatch Using a Riding Lawn Mower

Using a riding lawn mower can make dethatching a large yard much more comfortable and quicker. The process is similar to using a push mower, with the only difference being the blade attachment.

Riding mowers come with a hitch to attach various implements too. For dethatching, all you need is to secure a dethatching tool to the hitch and pull behind the mower.

Step-by-step instructions are as follows.

• Mow your lawn to a maximum height of 3 inches. Dethatching is most beneficial when lawns are cut short.
• Park your mower on a level spot and turn off the ignition. Using the hitch mount arms of the dethatcher, roll the implement toward the mower. While holding the bolt at the top of the hitch mount, turn the nut located underneath and pull the bolt out.
• Place the hitch mount arms above the mower hitch. Insert the bolt and screw the nut back on.
• Lower the dethatcher toward the mower by the lift handle on top of the dethatching implement. Check that the front and back tines are touching the ground. If not, make adjustments by loosening rear and forward hex nuts and carriage bolts.
• Start your mower and begin dethatching. You may need to go over your yard a couple of times, catching the same spots more than once. The best way to accomplish this is to work in a cross-section pattern.

If you don’t want to pull your dethatching tool behind the mower, you have the option of purchasing a dethatching blade. In this situation, you will have to take the time to remove the mower blades and place the dethatching blades on your mower.

What Should You Do After Dethatching Your Lawn?

After you have spent the time to dethatch your yard, it is crucial to complete a few more steps.

The process of dethatching is hard on a lawn. You are basically tearing up parts of the soil. While it is a good thing, it can leave your yard vulnerable to the elements.

The first thing to do after dethatching is to rake and gather thatch on top of the ground. Never leave it lying on top of your grass. If you have not used chemical fertilizers too freely, you can use thatch as compost or mulch.

To avoid other potential problems, make sure to place the sprinklers out once you have finished.

A thorough watering can help the soil and existing grass recover from the stress of dethatching. Watering will keep the soil temperature stable, and all the grass stems hydrated.

Another tip is to spread fertilizer across your lawn. Dethatching will leave the soil loose, making it much easier for nutrients from fertilizers to reach the roots. If you are using chemical fertilizer, be careful not to over-fertilize. Too much fertilizer is a primary reason for the overgrowth of thatch.

Look for any bare spots in your lawn. After you dethatch is the best time to seed your lawn. You can overseed the existing lawn while paying particular attention to those unsightly bare spots.

Don’t expect to see results immediately. It takes an average of three or four weeks to see the product of all your hard work.

Let’s Review

We have given you a lot of information, so let’s review for a moment. Dethatching is an integral part of lawn care. Don’t dethatch your lawn unless it truly needs it. Too much dethatching could damage your lawn.

When dethatching your lawn, be sure to mow the grass to a shorter than standard length. Most experts say to cut your grass to a height of three inches or less.

You can use a push or riding lawn mower to dethatch your lawn. Just follow the instructions listed above, and you will be on your way to a beautiful yard.

Put the final touches on your lawn by watering, seeding, and proper fertilization after dethatching is complete.

Dethatching is only one step to having the lawn you desire. It does require work but will extend the life of your yard. Along with preventative care, learning how to dethatch a lawn with a mower attachment will give you a beautiful foundation for a stunning landscape.