Just when you thought you had all the tools you need to maintain a beautiful, lush garden, you hear about the lawn dethatcher. This is not a tool that everybody realises they need but once they do, you’ll find them quickly hunting for the best lawn dethatcher they can get their hands on. 

What Is A Lawn Dethatcher?

Thatch may be something that they would have roofed a house in many years ago; some homes still have thatched roofs today. But when thatch appears on your lawn, it can make it look unkempt and can affect its health. It can cause the grass to be susceptible to pests and diseases so should always be removed. 

Thatch is a combination of different things including weeds, turf and stems that has not decomposed and gone back into the soil. 

You might not think that this would be much of a problem but in reality, if thatch is left to fester, it might also clog your mower, leaving you to have to fork out for a new one or spend hours repairing the damaged one. 

A lawn dethatcher is a tool that is used to remove thick thatch from the lawn. These can be manual tools like a regular garden rake or a mechanical tool operated by electricity. 

Things To Look For In A Lawn Dethatcher

Electric Or Manual

Much like other garden tools, there are choices when it comes to choosing a dethatcher. The electric dethatcher is a good choice for a lawn that needs quite a bit of work as it is powered by an electric motor and won’t require as much effort from the user. That said, there is the consideration of cost because most dethatchers for sale that run on electricity do come in at a higher price. 

Whether you choose a corded or cordless dethatcher is another thing to think about. If you have a larger garden, you may find the cord to be limiting but you will need to make sure that the battery runs long enough for you to get the job done. 

Conversely, you might opt for a manual dethatcher which is sometimes referred to as a push lawn dethatcher. The push dethatcher is much more like a typical garden rake although you can buy rakes that are specifically designed for dethatching and whose tines are much more aggressive. These are ideal for smaller gardens that do not require as much maintenance and will cost markedly less.

Dethatcher Width

The width of your dethatcher will determine how much ground you can cover in one pass. For larger gardens, you will certainly want to find something that is wider or face the prospect of a very lengthy job. 

Larger dethatchers that can be towed behind a tractor or other vehicles for very big areas can have a width up to 48 inches. But if you’re only tackling a small area, something around 12 to 16 inches will be more than sufficient. 

Universal Compatibility

One of the first things you should check when choosing a lawn dethatcher is its voltage. It is essential to ensure that the tool is compatible with your electrical circuits otherwise you risk causing damage. There you were mulling over the questions ‘what is a lawn dethatcher’ and now you find yourself questioning your electrics. But don’t worry, the details will be given on the packaging making this a much less intimidating task that you might first imagine. 

Moreover, you should look at whether you want a standalone dethatcher or one that can be used with a tow or tractor. For these larger types, you may find that the dethatcher is only compatible with certain brands.

Weight Capability

When you are dethatching a very large area, especially one that is laden with thick thatch, you will probably think that the dethatcher tines are the most important part of the tool While they do play a very important role, overloading them can cause the machine to break or may result in the job not being done completely. 

Weight compatibility applies to towed tools and you will find that, on average, they are able to work with up to 70lbs. The greater the poundage, the denser the thatch that the machine will be able to handle. 

Tines

If you have a wider dethatcher, it will have more tines. But this is not the only thing you will need to consider when looking at the tines. 

Tines are the long, blade-like appendages of the dethatcher that pull the thatch out of the lawn. Stainless steel is one of the most effective materials as it is robust and much longer lasting. However, you will find dethatchers that use other materials for the tines. 

Handle Length

The length of the handle will help you to feel more comfortable when working with your dethatching machine. If the handle is too long, your arms will have to be higher than is comfortable and this overreach can quickly become a nuisance.

In contrast, if the handle is too short, you will find yourself hunched over the tool which can bring on back pain and discomfort. 

Ease Of Maintenance

Dethatching is not a job that needs to be done as frequently as say, mowing. That said, you still don’t want a tool that is going to require a lot of maintenance. While you will need to clean the dethatcher, likely after each use, you want to make sure that this is easy and quick. 

Moreover, you should check whether there are moving parts that need to be regularly oiled or maintained. 

FAQ

How does a lawn dethatcher work?

A dethatching machine uses tines, which are like long thin blades to reach down into the grass and remove the thatch. Once it is removed, you can either dispose of it or use it in your composter. 

By dethatching your lawn, you give it the advantage of improved airflow which in turn will encourage much healthier and consistent growth. Not to mention your mower will be safe. 

Is dethatching necessary?

Dethatching is an important part of your overall lawn care routine but many people do not think it is necessary. This is incorrect. If you want healthy grass that covers the entire lawn without patches or disease then using a grass dethatcher is essential. 

Summary

If you have been looking for the best lawn dethatcher to promote excellent grass health then you have probably noticed how many tools are on offer. For people who have never used a yard dethatcher this can make things very tricky but by following our buying tips, you’ll always be able to source a lawn dethatcher to suit your needs.