• Overview



  • In this video, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook explains how to dethatch a lawn.

    Steps:

    1. For small lawns, use thatch rake to comb thatch from grass.
    2. For larger lawns, use power rake to remove thatch from grass.
    3. Use leaf rake to collect thatch and place onto tarp; properly discard thatch.
    4. Spread grass seed across lawn and rake into the grass.
    5. Use a drop spreader to apply fertilizer and pre-emergent crabgrass control to the lawn.
    6. Keep lawn moist; water daily if necessary.
    • Difficulty: Easy to moderate
      depending on whether you use a thatch rake or power rake

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    Video Directory

    Selected Topic/Section

      Tools List

      Close
      • Thatch-rake
        Thatch rake,
        used to remove thatch from lawn
      • power rake
        Gas-powered power rake,
        provides a quicker, easier way to remove thatch
      • hand rake
        Leaf rake,
        used to work grass seed into the lawn
      • Drop Spreader
        Drop spreader,
        used to apply fertilizer

      Shopping List

      Close
      1. Grass seed

      2. Lawn fertilizer

      3. Pre-emergent crabgrass control

      4. Large plastic tarp,
      used to remove thatch