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Re: Lawn aerators/dethatchers

I agree that thatch is a vastly over-rated "problem".  It is the
accumulation of tough old stems and rhizomes that don't breakdown readily.
The best cure for it, if it has built up to more than a half inch (you would
have to check in a few places), is to use a core aerator.  It cuts and
removes a plug of soil about a 1/4" in diameter and 2" long from the turf.
That allows the soil to expand and de-compact, and the microbes in the soil
plug break down the thatch.  I am of the opinion that tine "aerators do more
harm than good.  Yes, they make a hole, but by compressing the soil around
it even more.  And the dethatchers can do a fair amount of damage to the
turf and make a major mess, but unless you remove the organic material
ripped up with a rake, you still have in on the lawn.


At 08:44 AM 10/4/97 -0400, you wrote:
>My neighbor has a dethatcher attachment for his Toro.  It attaches to the
>front wheels of his Toro and the tines dig up the thatch while the mower
>picks up the debris.  He raves about it.  
>
>There is a school of thought that claims thatch is a problem that does not
>exist in most lawns.  Lawns that are overfed will develop a thatch problem.
> That "problem" is  a thatch layer that blocks water, air and harbors
>insects.  Lawn aerating is considered more beneficial.  Also, the
>dethatching process is harmful to the good, healthy grass plant crown and
>leaf.
>
>
>
>At 03:08 PM 10/2/97 -0400, you wrote:
>>I've seen aerator and dethatcher attachments for lawn mowers in a couple
>>of my gardening and tool catalogs.  Has anyone out there had experience
>>with any of these?  If they work, it seems like it would be a lot
>>cheaper than renting equipment all the time.
>>
>>Greg in Chalfont, PA (zone 6/7)
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