Before you rush out and order what you think will be the best garden shed for you, take some time to consider your current and future needs. Start by making a list of all the things you want to store in your shed and what jobs you want to be able to do there. After you have your list you will have a better idea what size of shed you need. Remember to leave yourself some room to grow. Consider not only the square footage inside your shed, but the size of the door or opening. It would be terrible to finish construction on your new shed just to realize that your wheelbarrow won’t fit through the door!

Garden sheds can be relatively inexpensive or quite extravagant. You can purchase pre-assembled tool storage units that resemble armoires for your garden, or go a more expensive and spacious route by purchasing a do-it-yourself shed construction kit (that can also be assembled by a professional from a home-improvement store). Or why not go all out and hire a contractor to build you the custom garden shed of your dreams, complete with running water and electricity?

Where Should You Place Your Shed

After you know what type of shed you want, consider where to place it. Do you want it to be the center of attention in your yard, or would you like it to blend in with the landscape? Most garden sheds are not temperature controlled, so it will be to your advantage to put your shed in an area of your yard that is shaded in the heat of the day. Having at least one window is important for ventilation and will help to keep your shed cool, which should definitely be taken into consideration if you plan to keep seedlings or bulbs in your shed.

Be mindful that the exterior of your garden shed matches or at least compliments the design of your home. To achieve this you can use matching paint or vinyl siding colors, and also try to mimic your home’s architectural elements. Another way to make your shed feels like a natural part of your yard is to landscaped around it, just like you would around your home. Flower beds and window boxes are a nice touch. Before you begin building your garden shed, remember to check local zoning and permit requirements and also check with your homeowner’s association.

The interior of your shed is probably the most important part because it is where you will be spending your time. Organization in your shed is critical. Make sure you have room to move around, especially if you plan to put a potting bench in your shed. You want to enjoy the time spent splitting bulbs and transplanting perennials, not spend that time wishing you had more elbow room.

Organizing Your Tools

It is best to store large item like lawn mowers, wheelbarrows, and tillers at the back of your shed so you don’t have to navigate around them, but make sure you leave yourself a path to get them in and out easily. Keep the things you use the most in easy reach, and put things that you use less often on high selves or in storage under the counter. A peg board works well to take advantage of the vertical space in your shed, and is a great place to store smaller tools like trowels and hand rakes. A hanging rack will keep your shovels, rakes, and broom out of your way but within easy reach. It is a good idea to have a lockable storage area for things like pesticides, gasoline, and sharp instruments, because your [garden shed]will probably be an attractive destination for children and pets.

Whether your ideal garden shed turns out to be a small resting place for spare pots, or a miniaturized version of your home complete with running water and French doors, pre-planning and careful consideration of your needs will ensure that you enjoy the time you spend in it just as much as the time you spend in the garden itself.

Tags: Landscape Garden Tools

Ventilation

The beauty of plants and flowers is that they are living, breathing plants that take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the environment. The downfall of this is that while they are housed in a greenhouse, they will need a way to breath in order to survive the winter months indoors. Unfortunately, many small greenhouses will not come equipped with proper ventilation systems, so either natural or power generated ventilation systems need to be installed. Natural systems simply be ridge or side vents installed in the greenhouse, while power generated systems are similar to a humidifier used in a home.

Grow Lights

Depending on the climate zone in which you will use a greenhouse, grow lights may be a necessity in the cold winter months. Grow lights are essential greenhouse supplies for almost every greenhouse simply because even the sunniest greenhouses will have shady spots that aren’t receiving adequate sunlight. Most grow lights are overhanging or even freestanding, looking similar to a tall lamp, and need electricity to run, which means running electricity into the greenhouse for a portion of the coldest winter months. This can be as simple as using an extension cord if the greenhouse is close enough to the house.

Heater

Essential [greenhouse]supplies such as a heater will depend on the climate zone and the type of plants that are being kept warm. Most coldframe greenhouses, those without the assistance of a heater, will only keep plants approximately 5-10 degrees above the outside temperature. Since most plants that are housed inside will need to remain at least 50-65 degrees Fahrenheit, if the temperature in your region drops below freezing, a heater is an essential greenhouse supply. While purchasing a separate space heater will work in keeping the temperature above 40-50 degrees, many gardeners also make a connection from their home heaters through tubing that would be similar to ventilation tubes in the home. Of course this will only work if the greenhouse is close enough to the home for such a tube.

Watering System

If you only have a few plants set up in a small greenhouse, then the easiest watering system will be manually watering the plants every few days. Of course if you have several greenhouse plants, then one of many essential greenhouse supplies will be investing in a misting system or a drip irrigation system that can automatically supply water to your greenhouse plants throughout the winter. Drip irrigation and misting systems work best because they give plants a gradual drink of water without soaking them. Because the heat and humidity levels are different in greenhouses, long slow drinks of water usually work better than a little bit every few days.

Tags: Greenhouse

Of course these greenhouse kits range from extremely inexpensive plastic units that are easily collapsible after the winter is over to
greenhousesthat will need to be built and maintained year round. Before you delve into making a major purchase of a greenhouse simply because the winter is coming, it is best to determine whether you truly need a greenhouse at all.

What Climate Zone Do You Live In

One of the most important factors to take into consideration when deciding whether or not to purchase a greenhouse is the climate zone you will be living in. If you live in the northern or northeastern half of the country, then it is likely you may need a
[greenhouse] if you plan on maintaining warm weather plants throughout the winter. These are plants that generally need temperatures above 50-65 degrees in order to survive and usually include almost all vegetable plants.

If you live in an extremely cold weather climate zone where the weather does not reach over 65 degrees until late in the spring or early summer, then you will definitely want to consider at least a small greenhouse in order to get started with your seedlings and container planting. Remember that if you cannot get the plants into the ground until late April or early May, it may be near the end of the season before you see beautiful blooms or vegetables.

For those gardeners that only have a few plants that need to be brought into warmer weather, you may be able to get away with bringing the plants into a cooler, well-lit basement, or simply use greenhouse lighting inside the basement to help the plants survive the winter. Of course, if your basement is heated, then these plants may become too warm and will die in the basement. If this is the case, then you will want to look into a greenhouse.

Setting Up Your Greenhouse

Something important to consider before purchasing a greenhouse kit is whether you can accommodate the lighting, heating, ventilation and watering needs within the greenhouse. Depending on the range of plants you will be housing throughout the winter, some will need more heat, more light, more ventilation and more water than others. Almost all greenhouse kits come with plastic tarps that provide ventilation, but for added ventilation you will need to add ventilation windows that will be considerably more expensive.

A greenhouse known as a coldframe is one that does not need additional heating. A coldframe will remain only 5-10 degrees above the outside temperature and is used in areas where there is only a light frost. If you live in an area where the winter temperatures will fall far below freezing then heating the greenhouse will also need to be taken into consideration.

If you live in an area where there is a considerable amount of sunshine, you may be able to get away without grow lights, but if this is the case you probably don’t need a greenhouse in the first place. Most gardeners who are interested in greenhouse kits will also need to consider grow lights to help plants get adequate sunlight in the winter months.

The items that need to be considered for purchase with a greenhouse are essential in deciding whether it is worth the cost to house your plants over the winter months. For a gardener that has a yard full of warm weather plants they would like to keep for the following year, a greenhouse is essential, but for those gardeners with only one or two tropical plants, it may just be easier to replant come spring.

Tags: Greenhouse

There comes a time in every person’s life when he (or she) is faced with the task of choosing a new lawn mower. It may be when you buy your first house or when your old hand-me-down lawn mower breaks down.

Whatever the reason for your shopping, you want to choose the best lawn mower for your circumstances at a reasonable price. But what is the best lawn mower for you and your yard? Here are some things to think about the next time you are in the market for a lawn mower.

How Large Is Your Yard

First, consider the size and makeup of your yard. If you have a large, flat yard, you might consider a riding [lawn mower], which makes quick work of large spaces, but costs a lot of money. If you have a smaller yard, you could go with a reel mower or a rotary mower.

Reel lawn mowers are available as gas powered or push mowers. A push mower means that the person doing the moving is providing all the power for propelling the mower and getting the blades to move. The reel mechanism acts like scissors, with rotating blades moving over a stationary knife.

Using a push mower doesn’t sound like a lot of fun, but it is an excellent workout and these machines are inexpensive, so if you have a very small yard this is a good option.

The gasoline-powered reel lawn mowers use the same cutting mechanism but are powered by a gasoline engine. These lawn mowers are ideal for people with Bermuda grass or bent grass that should be cut lower than two inches.

For grasses of other types and larger yards, the rotary lawn mower is the most popular choice. These lawn mowers come in gas or electric models and are great for cutting yards of all sizes. Rotary lawn mowers have a circular blade that cuts the grass and is protected by the body of the mower. If your grass does not need to be cut shorter than two inches and you like the added power of a rotary cutter, this is the machine for you.

Electric lawn mowers are usually cheaper than gas-powered mowers, but they also tend to have less power and either need to be plugged into an extension cord—which can be both dangerous and inconvenient—or they run off batteries that need to be charged regularly.

In general, push mowers cut the grass more cleanly, but the blades must be sharpened regularly by a professional. Rotary blades tend to bend the grass while cutting, but they are better for cutting long grass and the maintenance is easier

Wide Variety Of Lawn Mower Models .

There are many, many models of both kinds of lawn mowers available on the market today, with all sorts of features that can make your yard work a little easier. A self-propelled lawn mower, for instance, is much easier when you have a hilly yard. These mowers have extra power to pull themselves up slopes and may even have larger wheels to make moving on uneven surfaces easier.

Mulching blades for lawn mowers are very popular right now as people don’t want to throw out their lawn clippings or just leave them lying around on the yard. A mulching lawn mower has multiple blades that cut the clippings very fine, so they are largely invisible on the yard.

You should also look at safety features when considering a new lawn mower. A power mower should have both a blade shut off switch and what’s known as a dead-man’s switch, which automatically shuts off the engine if the lever or switch is not being pressed. That way it will be much more difficult to hurt yourself mowing your lawn (but of course remember eye and ear protection and long clothing just to be safe).

Tags: Lawn Mowers

Admittedly, not every household has a need for a chainsaw. But when you buy a house that has a lot of trees in the yard, it will probably take about as long as the first winter before you're wondering: Do I need a chainsaw? And, if I do, what kind should I buy?

Chainsaws are helpful for cutting large limbs, whether they have fallen out of your tree or need to be cut from the tree. A chainsaw can help you turn a large limb into a manageable pile of brush, and it can make short work of any wood you plan to use in your fireplace come winter.

It's probably not absolutely necessary for most people to go out and buy chainsaws. If you have an acreage with a lot of trees or cut your own firewood, though, a chainsaw is essential.

As with many things, the chainsaw you need will depend on the type of work you expect to be doing with it. If you're simply trimming up deadfall and maybe cutting some firewood, a small, electric, light-duty chainsaw will work just fine for you. On the other hand, if you're planning to be your own tree doctor or are thinking about removing an entire tree on your own (not that I recommend that) you'll want more of a professional quality model.

Chainsaws come in both electric and gasoline-powered models. The electric chainsaws are much lighter and tend to be less expensive than the gas-powered ones, which makes them perfect for at-home use. Of course you can't really take an electric chainsaw out into the woods with you, so if you have a lot of land or many big cutting projects, a gasoline-powered chainsaw is the tool for you.

What Size Chainsaw Do You Need

The size of the chain itself is another consideration. Most chainsaws made for household use have a “chain pitch” of a quarter of an inch. Chain pitch refers to the space between the teeth on the [chainsaw]. Quarter-inch pitch is fine for light household work, but if you are doing heavier work consider buying a chainsaw with a three-eights of an inch chain pitch. This makes the chainsaw just a little more powerful, giving cleaner cuts. They're also a little easier to sharpen.

The size of the motor is also important because your chainsaw has got to have enough power to cut through the limbs you are wanting to cut. Engines range from about 30ccs to as many as 120ccs on the biggest professional chainsaws. A model ranging from 40 to 50ccs is usually sufficient for the average homeowner’s needs.

The length of the bar that holds the chains may also vary on different chainsaws you look at. A longer bar can handle a bigger job or a larger diameter of branch. Many home-use chainsaws have bars ranging from 10 to 20 inches. The chainsaw’s package should tell you the optimum size of branches that it can cut.

Chainsaw Safety Features

Your chainsaw should have safety features such as a guard, a chain brake and an inertial brake. These safety measures will stop the chainsaw in event of a kickback (or if you drop the chainsaw), making it a lot less likely that you will hurt yourself.

Chainsaws are helpful lawn and garden tools, but they’re also quite dangerous and many people are injured every year by using them improperly or not wearing proper safety equipment. Take a lesson from loggers out in the field: wear a hard hat if there’s any danger of debris falling on your head, wear gloves, eye protection, heavy clothes, ear plugs and strong boots. Always use caution when operating a chainsaw and know how to use it safely. You certainly don’t want to turn a chore into a trip to the emergency room!

Tags: Landscape Garden Tools, Chainsaws

I have to admit I'm a little afraid of string trimmers. There always seems to be such potential for danger, from rocks flying up in your face to getting the string tangled in a horrible mess with a wad of tall grass wrapped around it.

The truth is, string trimmers are not that difficult to use and they are very handy to have around the yard. String trimmers can be used to trim grass next to trees, walls, fences and other items that you can't get too close to with a conventional lawn mower. They are great for edging along the sidewalk and driveway and can be helpful for cutting very tall [grass] or weeds on a hillside that is too steep to mow.

String trimmers use a plastic string rotated at very high velocity (up to 400 miles an hour) to cut grass. Maybe it's the speed that scares me. String trimmers are very effective at what they do, though the clogging and tangling problem is a real potential with some trimmers. Other models have short strings that can be changed very quickly and easily instead of the traditional big ball of string that causes those problems of my nightmares.

String Trimmer Model Types

String trimmers can run on gas or electricity and there are corded and cordless models. The type of string trimmer you want will depend on your needs and how much you are willing to spend.

Electric string trimmers are the cheapest, especially the corded varieties. They are lighter than gasoline-powered trimmers because you aren't carrying around the gasoline. They also have less power and tend to have a smaller cutting area than the gas-powered string trimmers. Electric trimmers are also less noisy than their gas-powered counterparts, and they cause less pollution.

Gas-powered trimmers are more expensive and heavier, but they are also bigger and more powerful. They come with either two-cycle or four-cycle engines. The two-cycle engines use a gasoline-oil mixture, while the four-cycle engines run on straight gasoline. Gas-powered string trimmers can cut up to 18 inches in a single pass, so they’re great for when you have a lot of trimming in a wide area, such as on a hillside. The two-cycle engine models are cheaper than the four-cycle, but they also have less power and don’t run as smoothly.

No matter what type of string trimmer you choose, they all run pretty much the same way. A loop handle or handlebars are used to hold the trimmer while it is running.Â

Proper Use Of Your String Trimmer

The main problem people have when using string trimmers is that they get the cutting string too close to the ground. Like a lawn mowing blade, the height of trimming should be two to three inches so that the ground doesn't look bald. Try to cut with your string trimmer at the same height that your mower cuts. This takes some practice but it is the key to a good-looking trim job.

Edging is a popular reason for using string trimmers because they can get so close to the sidewalk. All you have to do to turn your string trimmer into an edger is to turn it so that the string is turning vertically instead of horizontally.

Remember when you are trimming close to fences, trees and sidewalks that it is possible to get too close. You can actually kill your trees if you remove too much bark because you hit them with the string trimmer. And of course you can always send a chunk of wood, a piece of concrete or a rock flying at yourself or someone else when you hit an object with your trimmer. That's why it is vital to wear eye protection, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when you are using your string trimmer. Also wear ear protection and keep other people from working or playing in the yard while you are using your string trimmer.

Yes, there are reasons to be intimidated by string trimmers, but as long as you use them wisely they are great tools for your yard and garden.

Tags: Landscape Garden Tools

It is important to have the right pruning tools before you attack the trees, shrubs and plants that need pruning in your yard. Using the right pruning tools is better for the plant, and it's better for the tools as well, because you'll be using them properly.

Here is a quick rundown of the different types of pruning tools you might need, depending on the plants in your yard.

Hand Pruning Shears: These little shears are good for cutting branches up to half an inch in diameter. They are great for pruning small shrubs, cutting roses to put in your bouquet, harvesting vegetables and a bunch of other uses. They are small enough to be worked with one hand, and there are two main choices when working with hand shears.

Scissor Shears, as the name suggests, have two blades that are both sharp, though one is thicker than the other. The anvil shear has one sharp blade and one flat blade. The choice is up to you, though scissor shears are often a little more expensive; some say they work better, too.

Lopping Shears: If you have a lot of cutting to do, lopping shears are the way to go. These shears have long handles and must be operated with both hands. Pulling the handles apart pulls the [blades] apart; pushing them back together closes the shears and lops the offending branch. Different lopping shears can handle different diameters of branches, but all loppers should be able to handle half-inch branches.

Pole Pruners: If you're trying to cut a branch above your head, a pole pruner may be what you need. This tool is a long pole like a broom handle with a curved blade attached. These tools are often operated with the help of a rope that is thrown over the branch for leverage.

Pole pruners can be rather expensive and they are a little dangerous, because the person doing the cutting is right under the branch he or she is trimming. If you have a lot of large limbs that need to be removed from trees, it is probably better to get a yard service or professional tree trimmer to do the work for you. That way you can be assured that the job is being done right, and you won't have to worry about dropping a limb on yourself.

Other Pruning Tools that might be helpful, depending on your situation, are hedge trimmers and a chainsaw. A hedge trimmer makes it a lot easier to get bushes trimmed to the same size and shape, while a chainsaw can make short work of large limbs that you have cut from a tree.

Neither of these tools are vital for the beginning gardener, or for someone who doesn't have a lot of bushes or trees. But if you have need for these tools, you will be so glad that you have them when you need them. They are tools of convenience that will make those annoying maintenance jobs so much easier, leaving you time for more enjoyable things like resting in the hammock under the trees!

Tags: Landscape Garden Tools

Hedgers, or hedge trimmers, are wonderful if you have a lot of shrubs in your yard. Hedgers make quick work of your [pruning]chores, making it easy to cut a bunch of bushes to the same height or give them all the same shape. A hedger isn't exactly a must-have garden tool, but it is certainly a product of convenience that will make your gardening chores much more enjoyable.

Hedgers are basically a long metal rod with wide teeth that allow you to give a shrub a haircut with ease. They come in single or double-sided blade varieties and can run on electricity, gas or batteries, depending on the model.

Choosing The Correct Hedge Trimmer

When looking for a hedger for your yard, it's important to consider blade length, the size of branches it can cut and how it is powered.

Generally, hedgers with longer blades are better for heavier-duty use. If you don't have a lot of hedges to trim, go with a 16-inch blade. For a little more power, pick an 18-inch blade. Heavy-duty use will require at least a 20-inch blade, and professionals and those with long rows of hedges will choose a 22-inch blade or longer.

Most hedge trimmers can cut branches ranging from three-eighths of an inch to three quarters of an inch. If you have special trimming needs, check the manufacturer's specifications to find the hedger that is right for you.

We already covered power briefly. Electric trimmers are typically lighter and less expensive than other models. Gas models are heavier but also more powerful. If you don't have an outlet handy, a gas or battery-powered hedger may be your best bet.

Another issue having to do with power is a safety concern. If you have an electric hedger, make sure that your cord is nowhere near what you are trimming. Cutting the cord while the hedger is in use can be very dangerous.

Safety Tips For Using Hedge Trimmers

Speaking of safety, your hedger should have an auto-stop system that stops the blade in under half a second. You can also buy one with a locking starter that will prevent accidental startup.

Very small hedgers that are known as "detail trimmers" can be used for small areas of if you're sculpting a bush into an intricate shape.

The popularity of hedgers has gone down in recent years because many plant experts say plants do better when they are trimmed selectively rather than wholesale. But some people really like the neat, landscaped look of a hedge or row of shrubs that is neatly manicured.

If you are going to use a hedger in your yard, make sure you always wear safety goggles when the hedger is in operation, remove debris from the area before trimming, and make sure before you buy that you are comfortable holding the hedge trimmer at the level you will need to trim and with your arms extended. If it's too heavy for you, find a lighter model. You certainly don't want to drop the hedger while it is running.

Tags: Hedgers

No matter how well you maintain your lawn throughout the years, it will still need to be aerated in order to maintain good water and air flow to the soil. In order for water and air to penetrate the soil properly, there should be small pockets, like pores, that allow for the air and water to flow properly. Over time, though, foot traffic, grass clippings and debris will begin to close off those pockets, making it harder for water and air to penetrate the soil. When this happens, the soil and grass will no longer be able to breathe properly.

Gardeners will notice that their lawn just doesn’t achieve its optimal lushness, no matter how often they cut, water, weed eat and fertilize. Lawn aeration is a simple procedure that can help to reestablish the pockets needed to allow water, air and nutrients to penetrate the soil, returning the lawn to its optimal beauty.

So how do you go about lawn aeration? Although it sounds like a difficult process that would most likely involve a landscaping professional, lawn aeration can actually be done at home. Of course, if you have a large amount of land, you may want to consider hiring professionals or a professional equipment to help speed up the process, but for most homeowners with a regular sized lawn, aeration should not be a difficult task. Lawn aeration from a professional landscaping company will cost at least a few hundred dollars, depending on the size of the land.

Economical Lawn Aeration Methods

Other more economical forms of lawn aeration include purchasing lawn aeration shoes. Of course this will only work if your yard is small enough to cover by walking across in a short amount of time. Lawn aeration shoes cost between $20-$50, look similar to cleats, but instead have long spikes on the bottom that will re-open pockets in the soil for proper nutrients to get back into the soil. These shoes can be purchased at a local lawn and garden store or can be ordered online through a specialty lawn and garden company.

Another way to go about aerating your lawn is to rent or buy your own lawn aeration machine from a landscaping company or from a lawn and garden store. Renting a machine costs roughly $50, while purchasing your own machine will cost between $150-$200, depending on the brand purchased. The plus side of an aeration machine is that it can cover more ground in a shorter period of time than with a pair of lawn aeration shoes. The machine is fairly compact, approximately the size of a large seed spreader, and can fit easily into a storage shed or garage.

How often Should You Aerate

So, how often should you aerate your lawn? This truly depends on how often you mow, how often it rains in your area and how often you fertilizer the [lawn] . Keep in mind that the main factors for compacting the lawn soil are debris, such as grass clippings, leaves, and fertilizers, as well as excessive water that will also compact the soil. Even the healthiest lawns need to be aerated at least once a year, but for gardeners who are watering, fertilizing and mowing more often, it doesn’t hurt to aerate at least twice a year. You may want to get into the habit of aerating at the beginning of spring and again in the fall to receive the most benefit. Most lawns will become compacted from the winter weather and can be rejuvenated in the spring. Lawns will also become compacted from all the summer mowing, watering and the fall leaves collecting on the lawn, so aerate again in the fall months.

Tags: Landscape Garden Tools

Lawn Dethatching is often confused with lawn aeration but the processes are two completely different lawn maintenance procedures. Both will help with keeping your lawn looking lush and beautiful though. Lawn thatch is a layer of clippings, debris, leaves, grass stems and roots that settles onto the ground. For lawns that are regularly raked and cared for, not much thatch will accumulate and the rest will eventually decompose. But for lawns that see excessive amounts of thatch, for lawns that are not properly cared for or for lawns that have never been aerated, lawn dethatching may be necessary.

What Is Dethatching

Dethatching the lawn is simply removing the thatch that has built up over time. To know whether or not your lawn needs dethatching, simply observe the lawn to see if is has stopped responding or slowed down responding to fertilizers and waterings. You may even notice that no matter what you try, your lawn just doesn’t have the same lush look it had in years past. This means that the proper nutrients aren’t getting into the soil because the thatch is too heavy and won’t allow air and water to penetrate the soil.

If this seems to be the case, then you may need to dethatch your lawn. Keep in mind that not everyone needs to go about lawn dethatching. Some gardeners can instead simply aerate their lawn or do regular maintenance of picking up grass and leaf clippings. Eventually, though, almost everyone will have to do some type of lawn dethatching , but there really is no routine that each lawn needs. The major reason that each lawn is different is simply because some thatch is good for providing nutrients for the soil, as well as protection from sunlight and excessive rain, usually up to ½ an inch of thatch.

The best time to dethatch a lawn is in the spring. It is best not to try and dethatch a lawn in the fall or winter months because more debris will collect during those months and will simply negate the lawn dethatching process. It is also best not to go about lawn dethatching in the hot summer months when there may be a drought, heat wave or a chance that the lawn will not be able to get the proper water nutrients it needs to recover from a harsh dethatching process.

Using Power Dethatching Machines

Power dethatching machines can be rented from a [lawn and garden] store or landscaping company. These machines will help to “rake” up the debris and thatch that has covered the lawn. Dethatching machines are really only necessary for yards that are close to an acre or more in size. If you have a normal sized yard, you can simply go about manually dethatching with a leaf rake or a specialty dethatching rake. Although a power dethatching machine may be less time consuming, it tends to be a little more stressful on the lawn and should definitely only be done when the weather is cool and there will be plenty of opportunity for rain to replenish the thatched areas, usually in the early spring months.

Also keep in mind that you may need to power dethatch if you have more than an inch or an inch and a half of thatch covering most parts of the yard. It would be difficult to manually thatch with any more coverage than this. If you are using a thatching or yard rake, then it is important to make sure all of the thatch is picked up from the yard once you have compiled it into one area of the lawn.

Tags: Landscape Garden Tools