Best Dethatchers of 2022

What is a dethatcher?

A dethatcher is a landscaping device designed to remove thatch from lawns. Equipped with long tines, this machine can also be used to aerate the lawn or to prepare the garden soil before seeding vegetables.

What is lawn thatch?

Lawn thatch is dead vegetal material that accumulates at the base of the grass blades along with dirt and debris. Most of this material consists of grass clippings left behind after mowing, but also of dead leaves, dead grass blades, weeds, and so on.

When thatch gets thick, it becomes a sort of barrier between the ground and anything else, from water to light to compost or fertilizer.

As a result, your lawn will start to starve, and the grass will start to dry. Thatch also makes the grass more susceptible to diseases and parasites. That’s why it is essential to invest in a good lawn dethatcher and remove the layer regularly.

Are there various types of lawn dethatchers?

Yes. Depending on the size of your lawn, budget, and needs, you can choose from the following types of dethatchers:

• Manual dethatcher: Essentially a thatch rake, it looks like a regular garden rake but has curved tines designed specifically to dig into the thatch and gather it.
• Power dethatcher: Similar to an electric lawn mower, this type of dethatcher is powered by electricity through a cord or by batteries. Corded yard dethatchers deliver unlimited runtime and are ideal for lawns of all sizes, as long as you have an adequate extension cord or access to a wall outlet. Cordless dethatchers are more suitable for small to mid-sized yards due to their limited runtime.
• Riding mower dethatcher: This dethatcher attachment can be mounted either on the front or back of a riding lawn mower or lawn tractor, for faster dethatching of bigger areas. Front mount dethatchers are usually used with zero turn mowers that can’t accept tow behind dethatcher attachments. On the other hand, pull behind dethatchers are more suitable to use with lawn tractors.

What is the difference between a scarifier vs. a dethatcher?

There is absolutely no difference between a scarifier and a dethatcher. Both terms are used interchangeably and refer to the same tools. However, the terms dethatching and scarifying refer to different lawn care procedures.

Dethatching majorly refers to the process of removing thatch from the ground. Scarifying is often intended as more in-depth lawn care that includes soil aerating.

How to use a dethatcher?

If you’ve never used a dethatcher before, there is nothing to worry about. Dethatching your lawn is not complicated. With a powered dethatcher:

1. Remove any hard particles from the lawn, as they can easily become a hazard. A regular rake is perfect for the purpose.
2. Set up the blade to the optimal height – the height at which the tines just touch the ground, without penetrating it. Some of the best dethatchers allow you to also set the spacing of the dethatcher tines. If you have this feature on the machine, go for the smaller possible spacing.
3. Start up your lawn dethatcher and go over each area of the lawn, preferably two or more times. To ease up the process, use a dethatching pattern similar to your mowing pattern.
4. Use a rake to dethatch the corners of your property or any harder to reach areas, then gather all debris in a collection bag.

Dethatching with a manual or tractor attachment is similar. Regardless of the dethatcher you use, know that you should never dethatch your lawn when the ground is too dry or too wet.

How and when to aerate the lawn?

We already mentioned that grass dethatchers could also be used as a scarifier. However, you should learn how and when to perform this operation.

Scarifying the lawn is very similar to dethatching, but you’ll have to set the scarifier’s tines at a lower height so that they can pierce the ground. Then, follow the same steps above. You’ll notice that thatch won’t be removed properly, but you’ll break through more compact ground.

Timing is essential if you don’t want to damage your lawn when scarifying. Indeed, you should only perform this operation when your grass is growing strongly, typically in late spring and early fall.

Important features to look for in yard dethatchers

Now that you know what dethatching is and what its benefits are, it’s time to find out how to choose the best dethatchers. Here are a few essential features to consider.

• Type: Based on the size of your lawn, decide between a manual, electric, or pull-behind dethatcher. Manual rakes are the least expensive, but you’ll have to put in a lot of labor, especially if your lawn is big or if the thatch is really compact. Pull-behind and electric units are more expensive but undoubtedly easier and faster to use.
• Tines: These are your machine’s fingers, designed to dig into the thatch, root it out from the base of the grass blades, and pull it up towards the surface for easier collection. They must be strong and durable. The best dethatchers often have stainless steel, rust-proof tines.
• Collection bag: Not all dethatchers have this feature, and you might not need it if you really love to rake. Otherwise, if you don’t want to be faced out by a long day of dethatching, know that a collection bag makes it easier to gather the material and dispose of it in one easy step.
• Ergonomics: Make sure the dethatcher is ergonomic and easier to use. Height adjustable handles are preferred on electric dethatchers, while the manual ones should come with long handles equipped with non-skid grip.

Best Dethatcher for the Money

Best value

GreenWorks 27022 14″ Corded Dethatcher/Scarifier

Best dethatcher for suburb lawns

A wider dethatching path makes it easier to finish your job faster.

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