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Started By
Message
How necessary is dethatching?
Posted on 9/13/23 at 8:44 am
Posted on 9/13/23 at 8:44 am
Bermuda, zone 8a.
I've only had a yard for a few years and that whole time up until recently I've had a basic push mower with side discharge. No problems at all until a month or so ago, I was mowing and I went a little lower than normal and the grass was very dry and when I was done I swear I'm not exaggerating it looked like a carpet was rolled over the lawn there was such THICK, heavy clippings. I mean it provided an entire layer covering the lawn. You couldn't even see grass anymore it was so bad. At that point I decided to get a bag mower so I've bene using that and enjoy it but it got me thinking about all the years of clippings that have been put onto the yard.
When i look up dethatching it looks like it could be a pretty great thing but since I'm a novice and don't' really know what I'm doing, my first question before I look into it further is how necessary is it really? Is it one of those things that is mandatory if your yard is shite, but if your yard is already fine it's basically just a bonus? Or is it something that needs to be done every year no matter what?
I've only had a yard for a few years and that whole time up until recently I've had a basic push mower with side discharge. No problems at all until a month or so ago, I was mowing and I went a little lower than normal and the grass was very dry and when I was done I swear I'm not exaggerating it looked like a carpet was rolled over the lawn there was such THICK, heavy clippings. I mean it provided an entire layer covering the lawn. You couldn't even see grass anymore it was so bad. At that point I decided to get a bag mower so I've bene using that and enjoy it but it got me thinking about all the years of clippings that have been put onto the yard.
When i look up dethatching it looks like it could be a pretty great thing but since I'm a novice and don't' really know what I'm doing, my first question before I look into it further is how necessary is it really? Is it one of those things that is mandatory if your yard is shite, but if your yard is already fine it's basically just a bonus? Or is it something that needs to be done every year no matter what?
4
Posted on 9/13/23 at 9:06 am to WG_Dawg
If the clippings were that thick, especially with Bermuda, it means you waited too long between mows. Bermuda likes to be cut low, but that means it needs to be cut pretty frequently to keep it healthy. An added bonus of staying on top of your mowing is that the clippings won't choke out your healthy grass, and it'll decompose back into your soil, promoting healthy new growth.
As far as dethatching goes, that's an annual chore for me. I do it on the last "cold" weekend in February (I live in the Houston Area, it never gets really cold here), right before everything starts greening up. I have a small lawn, so I just use a large leaf rake and do it manually. Gets the blood flowing and the heart pumping, even though it's only 1500 sq ft or so.
As far as dethatching goes, that's an annual chore for me. I do it on the last "cold" weekend in February (I live in the Houston Area, it never gets really cold here), right before everything starts greening up. I have a small lawn, so I just use a large leaf rake and do it manually. Gets the blood flowing and the heart pumping, even though it's only 1500 sq ft or so.
Posted on 9/13/23 at 10:12 am to WG_Dawg
With Bermuda, you shouldn’t need to dethatch every year. I’d recommend aerating annually, but some thatch is beneficial to your lawn.
When aerating, check the plugs and if the thatch is about a half inch, then it’s time to dethatch. If you pre-scalp in February/March, make sure to bag up all of the clippings and your thatch level should stay heealthy for a few years.
When aerating, check the plugs and if the thatch is about a half inch, then it’s time to dethatch. If you pre-scalp in February/March, make sure to bag up all of the clippings and your thatch level should stay heealthy for a few years.
Posted on 9/14/23 at 10:23 am to WG_Dawg
I've always understood dethatching to be a northern thing. We're typically warm enough for long enough down here that all the clippings can decompose just fine.
Posted on 9/14/23 at 11:27 am to WG_Dawg
Dig around on this website. It should guide you. It's AL specific info.
AL Extension Agency
I also live in Hoover and have had two homes, one with Centipede and one with Zoysia. I don't know enough about Bermuda to answer. I mostly cut with a bag to keep thatch build up down but will not on occasion. My zoysia was installed last year and it came already full of thatch. I raked it last year and won't do that again. Too much work. I'll rent the machine next time.
AL Extension Agency
I also live in Hoover and have had two homes, one with Centipede and one with Zoysia. I don't know enough about Bermuda to answer. I mostly cut with a bag to keep thatch build up down but will not on occasion. My zoysia was installed last year and it came already full of thatch. I raked it last year and won't do that again. Too much work. I'll rent the machine next time.
This post was edited on 9/14/23 at 11:39 am
Posted on 9/14/23 at 11:35 am to LSUJuice
I'm in NC, and I have been at my house for 20 years. We have zoysia in the backyard. Had zoysia for about 10 years now maybe. It def has a lot of tan/dead grass in it all year. Just lots of dead grass mixed all it. And that zoysia lawn it just really think.
I really think I need to dethatch. Been wanting to get one of those little plug in Sun Joe machines to try out. I have a pretty small 1/4 acre yard. Shouldn't be much trouble.
I really think I need to dethatch. Been wanting to get one of those little plug in Sun Joe machines to try out. I have a pretty small 1/4 acre yard. Shouldn't be much trouble.
This post was edited on 9/14/23 at 11:36 am
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