Nancy asks…

Instead of buying a dethatching rake can I use a wet/dry leaf rake I bought st Sam's Club?

The rake that I have is very hard plastic and it picks up alot, but I don't know if buying a $25 dethatching rake will do more or less?
if dethatching is a back breaker what else should I do?

landscapeliving answers:

No, the rake you bought won't dethatch. Thatch needs to be cut, and the plastic rake won't do it. Dethatching is hard work. If you have any more than a postage stamp for a yard, it will be a back breaker.

Edit: You could rent a dethatching machine, or if you have a lawn tractor, there are dethatching attachments you can buy for your tractor.

Betty asks…

Has anyone ever used a dethatching blade for a lawnmower and how did it turn out?

landscapeliving answers:

It makes a mess because it works. Be carefull when setting your blade height.

Ruth asks…

Do you use a dethatching rake instead of the power thatcher?

I'm considering buying a dethatching rake, but I'm not sure how much more of an effort it is to use. It is an incredible pain for me to rent a power dethatcher. I've read that it is best to dethatch every other year, so I guess I wouldn't have to do it often. I do love to garden and probably wouldn't mind that labor, but I would like to hear from those who have used a dethatching rake.

landscapeliving answers:

Powered rakes are easier to use in my opinion, but I have the muscles to manhandle one around the yard. You might consider just paying to have your yard professionally airated and thatched. Its a one time expense every couple years and wont cost more than 100 bucks.

Daniel asks…

How do I kill creeping charlie (wild geranium in these parts)? It drinks Killex and laughs at dethatching.?

landscapeliving answers:

Alas, poor Yorick!

You must remove these delightful beauties by hand! Make sure to get them before they bloom and dispose of all weeds in a plastic bag--they will make seeds even after being pulled!

Susan asks…

What to do about dead St. Augustine grass from no water and alot of sun?

We just leased a home for 2 years and will be moving in Nov. 2008. The back yard has not been watered and we have not had much rain here in Houston Texas this summer. The yard is just brown grass(st. aug) and weeds. Is the grass completely dead or is there something we can do now to assure regrowth in the spring? Dethatching? Winterizing? Fertilizing in Feb.? Thanks for your help!

landscapeliving answers:

Water it. It's probably just dormant. You could also remove the thatch, spread on a thin layer of compost, and over-seed. Sounds like you have the right idea, though.

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Tags: Landscape Garden Tools

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