The snow has melted and it’s a tradition; dethatching your lawn. But should you be doing this to your lawn? Read on and you just might save yourself some work.

What is Lawn Thatch?
Thatch is the build up of old grass roots and rhizomes. It is not the result of leaving grass clippings on the lawn. In fact grass clippings left on the lawn will reduce the amount of thatch. As the clippings decompose they also help decompose old roots and rhizomes.
Different grasses produce thatch at different rates. Warm climate grasses such as zoysia, Bermuda and buffalo produce thatch faster and may need to be dethatched more often. Cool season grasses such as bluegrass, fescue and ryegrass produce thatch more slowly.
Some thatch is actually good for grass since it:
- keeps soil cool
- slows water loss
- insulates plant crowns from temperature fluctuation
- improves tolerance to foot traffic.
Do You Have a Thatch Problem?
Healthy grass has thatch. You only have a problem if the thatch layer gets too thick so that water and air have trouble getting to grass roots.
A thatch layer that is less than 1/2″ thick, is not a problem. Leave the grass alone.
To measure the thickness of thatch, poke around the grass until you find the brown layer near the bottom of the grass blade. With your finger or a stick, poke a hole through the brown layer to the top of the soil. Measure the thickness of the thatch.
When is the Right Time to Dethatch?
Dethatching causes a lot of damage to your grass and should be done at a time when the grass is growing so it can fix the damage before the next dormant period.
Warm-season grass can be dethatched in late spring or early summer after it starts to grow. It is best not to do it in the middle or late of summer.
Cool season grasses should be done in early fall (early September in zone 5) since this is the time when grass grows the best.
Dethatching in fall results in fewer weed problems.
Early Spring Dethatching in Snow Country is a Bad Idea
In colder climates it has become a common ritual to dethatch as soon as the snow melts. People seem to want to get outside and do something, but dethatching at this time of year is a terrible idea. Most cool-season grass does not need to be dethatched, in which case you are just damaging the lawn. Secondly, the ground is still very wet in early spring. Walking on it compacts the soil, damaging soil structure, which makes it harder for your grass to grow. Stay off the lawn in spring.
What is the Best Way to Dethatch?
According to the Ohio State University power dethatchers and power rakes work very well. Dethaching attachments for lawn mowers do not work. Core aeration is claimed to work but the science for this is very limited.
Growing Great Lawns
Here are some other articles about your lawn.
The Truth About Clover in the Lawn
Biological Liquid Dethatcher for Lawns – Do They Work?
How to Get Rid of Moss in Lawns
I loved what you just said about not dethatching your lawn when the snow melts! Very well said.
It sounds like you’ve got a knack for this. I was reading your article and it gave me some great insight on how to get rid of thatch in the lawn.
Thanks,