Power Rake / Dethatch A Lawn. Should I Power Rake / Dethatch MY LAWN?

[@hc130radio]

2:00 intro.

[@robbiegolding1831]

Take down warm season Grass low before dormancy also?

[@Lawncology]

Bermuda or zoysia? I wouldn’t scalp either at that point. I’d wait until spring

[@robbiegolding1831]

St Augustine. I didn't mean scalp per se but taken considerably lower than the 4" Allyn recommends it be cut at while growing

[@WooderBoyProductions]

What kind of grass do you have?

[@ezace7548]

I bought the same Sun Jo De-Thatcher for my Zoysia other than the cord, it works great and worth the $100 investment.

[@Lawncology]

I used on for the first time the other day

[@ezace7548]

@@Lawncology I’ve only done it once so far but for the price, when I need it it’s worth it. The backyard is like a golf course now with Zoysia. The front is almost there

[@igormord8636]

What is that hand tool that you used to take out a piece of lawn?

[@matthewnovik4050]

so basically always cut grass super low and have less work to do?

[@mynameisneb]

Now I have Bermuda grass, would the sunjoe be a good idea or would it be ripping the stolons? And found the baby yeti at 8:23 😆

[@Lawncology]

that would likely rip. the scarifiers could work because the tines flex, but i would be careful... I personally like the dormant bermuda burn

[@JoNathanB1976]

I can personally testify that it does work and yes it does rip stolons if they are not sufficiently rooted down. After seeing another couple of youtubers use a power rake on their bermuda lawn I decided to give it a try. I used the dethatch cylinder with the tines first on 5+ on February 15 this year to remove a significant portion of the dead dormant material and apply preemergent. Three weeks later I came back with the dethatch set at 5- to clear to surface of the soil and remove even more material. That's when I noticed the most stolon removal. My purpose was to gain direct access to the soil surface to apply soil amendments like humic and kelp and biochar in the late winter/early spring without the lawn litter absorbing it like I have observed before. I also wanted to clear shallow rooted stolons and reveal the soil surface so that new stolon nodes could tack down to a clean soil surface and drive deep roots in the spring and summer. As a result my lawn has looked pretty ugly for a month after several thin spots were revealed but I know they will fill in when the temps come up to the 80s consistently and the grass really begins to grow aggressively and my preemergent wears off. What I did notice is that areas where the grass was rooted well, the sunjoe did not pull those up and they are still thick and are now green. I'm mowing it at 1" to 1.5" and already I can see new stolons beginning to creep into the thin areas and I'm enthusiastically waiting to see them tack down roots and thicken those areas. Then in the summer heat of July and August I'll be using Dethatch to break down grass clippings from mowing. Normally I would not recommend mechanically dethatching in February ever, in fact I will likely never do it again. I would wait until mid-April like now to do it after the initial green up and heading into vigorous growth with higher temperatures to clear out the old dormant dead material from the winter amongst the green. The main thing is that it won't leave the lawn looking so ugly for so long and exposed soil for a long period of time is a bad thing. However, I knew I had some already thin areas that were just covered with thinly rooted stolons and I needed access to the soil surface in the early spring to prep, so that's why I did it. I still go back and forth if it was necessary or not but it is working out just fine. Anyway, I hope my story helps answer some questions about using the sunjoe on bermuda.

[@ltsibley]

@@JoNathanB1976 Glad someone else is in the same boat as me. I detached on Feb 29th and used a flail blade machine. Rented machine from Sunbelt and I asked if I could sharpen the blades, which they were fine with. The next day I had a complete brain fart and woke up excited to get in the yard and never sharpened the blades. My front yard is Bermuda & Zoysia mix (actually blends pretty well, not sure of the actual varieties). I did that area first and the grass is well established and did just as you described...most of it stayed intact, while a few area most of the grass was ripped up. Back yard took more of a beating and that's when I realized my mistake with the blades...but I was pretty close to done with the first pass and most of the grass looked ok. I finished up and scalped down to 3/8". Fast forward to today and I still have some pretty thin areas...we also had record rain in March and I have some poor drainage in those areas that were already more bare...so that did further damage. I had my yard looking the best ever last year and still wish I could go back and just forgo the dethatch honestly...or do what you mentioned and wait until later in the spring. The backyard is all Bermuda and I'm still crossing my fingers that it'll fill in and I'll have my nice yard back soon.

[@JoNathanB1976]

So mow low in the fall for over wintering works for warm season grasses like bermuda as well? Conventional wisdom is to go a little higher to blanket the soil to protect the dormant roots from the bitter cold temperatures. Is that then not necessary? Alabama, winter temps get down to 20s sometimes teens.

[@Lawncology]

great question. typically a low mow is great at that time, not a scalp per se, but lower than normal. it will make your spring scalp one hell of a lot easier

[@JoNathanB1976]

@@Lawncology Thanks for the feedback JP! Love the content and education here!

[@michaeldequatro1012]

I picked-up a lot of thatch this spring using a power dethatcher. I have a question. I would mow the lawn without bagging the clippings ( I always hear the clippings brought nutrients back into the soil). Is any of that thatch the old grass clippings? Should I use the bag part of the mower? Thanks for your help. Great video by the way.

[@Lawncology]

Typically is just dead blades from the previous years growth as part of shedding. I always mulch my clipping and don’t build up thatch.

[@michaeldequatro1012]

@@LawncologyThank you so much

[@MisterAdam-jj5jv]

Great info... Can these practices be used for warm season grasses...ie bermuda? Tks

[@Lawncology]

Verticutting is a better option. Power rake will rip your grass out of the ground and form a big spool

[@sarrowoo]

Tiny yeti! 8:34 or so

[@hosoiarchives4858]

I have heavy heavy moss. Is power raking an option?

[@Lawncology]

Have you treated that with an iron product?

[@hosoiarchives4858]

@@Lawncology no, I'm an organic gardener and haven't looked into whether the iron is kosher or not. Thanks

[@icecell77]

Awesome information Mr. PERRY I left my back yard very low and my front yard at 3 1/2 They both came out start very green this year,but front lawn had more thatch and disease than the back ..so yes.. you answer my question in this video but. When can I start using D-thatch..can I apply now in the spring or wait unit summer..I live in Massachusetts near the Cape Cod area THANKS AGAIN 😎🍵

[@Lawncology]

Start in about 5 weeks. Should be warm enough

[@icecell77]

Allen LCN is not going to like this video..He likes his grass super tall 😂

[@josej-h1471]

How many times a year should you detach the grass? I detach my mixed Bermuda/st agustine/weeds back in April and this summer looks a bit better. I’m in Arlington Texas. Thanks in advance.

[@BooyahBrink]

just how low do you recommend taking saying KBG?

[@Lawncology]

Sean Brink oooohh... fun topic. I cut mine to half inch last year. I would say 1.5 is a safe zone for most

[@BooyahBrink]

@@Lawncology Thanks John. I don't have a reel mower, nor is my lawn really level enough for one. But I can do 1.5 on my rotary. I will give that a try next winter!

[@seanehook]

Makes sense! Thanks for the video!

[@Lawncology]

Thank you!

[@Jjredred]

Is it a good practice to cut your cool season lawn down low in the cool spring time?

[@Lawncology]

Honestly the biggest benefit by doing that is clearing out dead grass and getting it out of dormancy faster

[@josh.kaptur]

Even TTTF chopped down as it approaches dormancy?

[@Lawncology]

yes but not excessive. 2.5-3 inches

[@tctulloch]

I'm over on Long Island,NY and am planning to dethatch with the sunjoe on my south facing front yard, which is mostly zoysia. It's starting to come out of dormancy and I figure dethatching and following up with RGS/Air8 will be helpful for soil health.

[@Lawncology]

Great plan

[@tctulloch]

@@Lawncology Thanks! With my cool season fescue/fine fescue back yard, I'm learning about the differences in approaches with the different grass types. From what I understand zoysia is more susceptible to thatch buildup, so it takes just a little more effort to stay on top of it.

[@Lawnvolution]

Mr Perry, Thank you for answering questions😎👊

[@Lawncology]

Thank you George for being part of it all!!!

[@Lawnvolution]

Lawncology 👊

[@marshallhoux7987]

I have a question that is off topic but going to ask anyway 😁 my neighbor is new to lawn care I've been trying to help him out but he has decided to go with a local lawn care company so I asked him what they put down they said a lawn wake up which was a high nitrogen no potassium low k number my neighbor has NRS in his lawn the service also said he put down a soil stablelizer which I have not heard of curious to know what they told him or just said something that he would not know what it was I've tried to get him to get organics into his lawn and get organic fertilizers just wanted to find out about soil stabilizer is

[@Lawncology]

Marshall Houx I have no idea what a “soil stabilizer” is. I would be curious as to what that means.

[@marshallhoux7987]

I thought it sounded like a load of b.s. and not the good kind 🤔😁 looks like a price hike up to me I will have to get him to ask what he used thanks again for all you do I have told him to check out your channel

[@zman221]

Good morning all

[@Lawncology]

Morning

[@Aerialphotovito]

John - A quick question , will any of the forms of dethatching you show break down a Pre-EM in the lawn if so is there a waiting period from when you applied to going ahead and doing the dethatch ? Thanks again great info as always we are all learning so much here.

[@Lawncology]

Your Pre should be down in the soil at that point and shouldnt be an issue when you power rake

[@Aerialphotovito]

Lawncology thanks again

[@drewmania6034]

You have the same theme song as How to With Doc

[@Lawncology]

😂😂😂 no.

[@drewmania6034]

Lawncology 😏made ya think about it though

[@drewmania6034]

Lawncology You have the same theme song as Lawn Porn* kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoSbi3SwqK12d6s

[@Primo-79]

Thank you for spreading the knowledge, i found you watching LCN. Do you sell Next products in Europe somewhere? I'd like to use these products or similar ones, but just dont kbow what to look for. Thanks

[@Lawncology]

we currently don't sell overseas, I'd like to expand based on what I'm hearing about product availability. I could help with advice if you come across products that you are curious about. Let me know what you're seeing and I will do my best to steer you in the right direction

[@Primo-79]

Hey, thanks for your answer. I found something i think it might be similar to d-tatch. Here's a link: www.plagron.com/en/products/pure-zym# Have a great weekend in the lawn

[@pestandlawnginja]

In the name of John Perry Amen

[@Lawncology]

😂😂

[@aaronhunt6379]

Mr John! I have looked all over online and can't find anything like that wide mouth soil probe you used. What is it? Where to aquire?

[@Lawncology]

Aaron Hunt lol. It’s a bulb planter!

[@aaronhunt6379]

@@Lawncology mind blown! Thanks John!

[@_BLacKWaTeR_]

I have the groundskeeper II rake ( love it btw)... is right now ( early spring) a good time to rake out the yard of dead debris or should I wait till fall?

[@Lawncology]

now if you are still in a cool area.

[@johns1646]

Lowest temp you can use D-Thatch at? I believe i heard it was 75 in a previous video........

[@Lawncology]

70+ air temp is just fine

[@delbudde6188]

Have been using the low mow fall technique for many years now, glad to see that you agree with my practice. Appreciate your channel and advice.

[@Lawncology]

Del Budde thanks Del! Works great and lowers overall maintenance

[@stang55]

How low should you go?

[@markmaccione6757]

Great video JP! Been waiting for something like this from you for a long time now. A lot of guys I work with are using the Sun Joe machine right now on their lawns. They have nothing but good things to say about it. I personally am not a big fan of mechanical Dethatching simply because of how aggressive it is. I don’t even like hand raking and removing good material by accident. Makes me cringe. Last year was the first season I incorporated your liquid Dethatch and plan on it being another tool in the Arsenal moving forward. As usual just want to say thank u for all the knowledge and products u provide. Always a pleasure to absorb your content.

[@Lawncology]

THanks Mark!!!

[@Brettsgrasscapades]

Matts lawn really is looking great! Great info as always.

[@Lawncology]

Thanks man. It does look amazing

[@minoutv7347]

Morning!

[@Lawncology]

Good Morning Maureen!

[@minoutv7347]

Lawncology Good afternoon, John! 😆

[@Mark-zi2og]

Hi John, I have a KBG stand of turf and have a fair bit of grass litter I’d like to address with some mechanical dethatch. I’m up here in Michigan and my question is as I’m just coming out of dormancy can I dethatch now or would I be better served to wait until fall? Thanks!

[@PacificNorthwestLawns]

Another great video John. I'll be here to watch again Saturday morning....

[@Lawncology]

Awesome thank you!

[@stang55]

Whenever I try to mulch my clippings no matter how often I mow I get matting that chokes out my lawn. I have a mulching lawnmower. What could be the issue?

[@tomwallis722]

Love the new editing and the sense of humor. Well done! Ryan Knorr will be proud ;)

[@Lawncology]

Thank you!

[@ryteulopki8069]

Wow! I just landscaping my backyard at new property... all I have is 64m2 (8x8) lawn. I did not expected myself looking for and watching such as videos. Well done!! Very informative, well pecked and delivered!! Looks like I will be re-doing the lawn at second property as well :) And I love your attitude to the cost. Great stuff!!

[@TheLawnGuardian]

Good info, John. I'm thinking I may have to do something mechanical to my lawn but I'm not sure yet.

[@Lawncology]

Give it a rake and see how much comes out. If you can make a softball sized thatch ball in the area squared of your rake head, you'll likelt need a machine.

[@TheLawnGuardian]

@@Lawncology I have a thatch rake. Should I use that to check or a rake that has looser teeth?

[@Pdpawlak]

So the grass debris or dead blades will not break down via d-thatch? I’ve def got debris problems, but would rather it be “eaten” vs me manually pulling it all out

[@Lawncology]

Depends on how bad it is. average mowing debris will breakdown, excessive will require more mechanical intervention

[@BenjaminT.Minkler]

I never remove anything from my lawns, even all leaves and pine needles get multched in; and don't see build up ....work it down to mowing as short as I can in fall, then keep it short in early spring(now) then let it come up taller before hot summer .... I do have that SunJoe, but have only used the verticutter for leveling and slit seeding, and have never had to use the other power rake drum it also comes with; about all I do is still in the spring I will occasionally give the yards a good brushing with just a normal manual leaf rake to 'wake and fluff' stuff before mowing - I'm in Iowa, got fescue/blue mix in the max sun south lawn, rye/blue mix on side lawns, and then trying to get pure KBG to fill in on the fenced back yard(but my fall seeding failed last year) which will be my short short grass - any tips on what I can do on bare dirt spots until I can get good seed down in the fall again back there? maybe annual rye grass? would like to top dress more this summer so would that help hold the dirt in place and keep it from compacting?

[@Lawncology]

You could definitely hit bare spots with rye as long as you keep the seed watered and covered, it will jump right out.

[@michaelhutchen1245]

What’s the difference between your Dethatch product and spraying simple cane molasses?

[@Lawncology]

Extra additives that boost microbial activity including yeasts

[@LawnJourneys]

I love cutting my KBG low in the fall and spring. Start to raise the height when it gets hot, even with irrigation. Going with your bio-stim this season and see how it shakes out. My goal is to keep my park strip thick and green with all the rest.

[@michaelkohut7601]

The Bio-stimulant N-ext products (bought DeThatch this year, as well) have turned my lawn into something to behold... BEYOND my wildest expectations. Of course, also key to my turf’s metamorphosis were a few other things. Among them: Learning to use the weather (precip) to my advantage whenever possible; learning proper irrigation techniques when it comes to deep, less frequent watering (and doing so during the hottest part of the day, particularly during the heat of summer); learning to mow correctly (both in timing and height as it relates to season); and then, learning the overarching dominant principle that it “ain’t about my grass”... it’s about my grass’ roots and about my dirt. For me, I also believe the reconceptualization of the phrase “pushing growth” to now mean “pushing root growth” (versus simply pushing the growth of blades of grass) has been critical. I also love the fact that the density of my turf now acts, on it’s own, at least to a degree, as a weed preventer. So nice to possess “knowledge beyond the nitrogen!” Thank you, John, for all of this knowledge! Bill Murray has nothin, on me!!!

[@Lawncology]

wow! that is an awesome story and I love how passionate you are about it!!!

[@keithecklundii5225]

Excellent info, John. Let me ask - I have a TTTF/KBG mix lawn and keep it 3.5" during the growing season. If I follow your advice and start to slowly cut it back in fall, what would be an ideal height heading into late fall without stressing the plant too much before winter?

[@Lawncology]

2-2.5” when it’s starting to go dormant

[@thecappy]

What is the max length of extension cord in the manual? I'm going to need about 150ft to reach the far corners of my corner lot.

[@thedrewwitt]

I appreciate the distinction between thatch and lawn litter. Feel like a lot of people online refer to dead grass clippings and “lawn litter” as “thatch”

[@Lawncology]

Drew Witt thanks Drew

[@YardGuy]

Lot's of good info to follow here. I always like taking it down in the fall. I keep it a little shorter in the spring too. Really all depends on the weather.

[@Lawncology]

Nice buddy

[@keyeskennard]

Would like to request you address this topic specific to bermuda and zoysia for us warm season folks who follow you. Thanks

[@Lawncology]

This topic can get its own video in relation to warm season turf. Now, there’s is a significant amount of this vid that can be applied to Zoysia, not Bermuda or St Augustine. I’m happy to answer those questions but visually I can’t show them because I’m not able to travel right now 😢

[@StrikitRich]

@@Lawncology Then there's the whole controversy of verti-cutting a St. Augustine lawn. Whew.

[@Lawncology]

StrikitRich yes

[@StephaneDurand]

Awesome education! Will start cutting my lawn lower in the fall 🚜🌱

[@Lawncology]

awesome

[@milanjurich1526]

Excellent editing ... felt like I was watching an older Alton Brown Good Eats session. It’s going to get interesting to apply techniques learned to the new “23 yr old lawn”. Thanks for your efforts to educate.

[@Lawncology]

Milan Jurich thanks Milan!!!

[@ryank6824]

When he said "im surrounded by a bunch of tools" couldnt help but think of Spaceballs. "I'm surrounded by Assholes!"

[@Lawncology]

I actually had a joke in there and took it out because i thought people wouldn't get it!

[@CP-rm7rz]

Lawn debris is one Ginja's favorite topics . DONT CLOUD MY COLOR little yeti 8:30

[@nedg3740]

Bad ass info Johnny. Everything we ever needed to know about thatch. You rock!

[@Lawncology]

Ned Galic thanks Ned!!!

[@keyeskennard]

Great info sir. So at the end of the growing season....take it down? That makes more sense and probably why my zoysia has lots of thatch even though i cut frequent and low during growing season.

[@Lawncology]

Yes, mow low and remove clippings on your final couple days on the lawn

[@lou8891]

Ugh i spotted tiny yetti but went through the chat

[@StrikitRich]

I did both, but chat first. Ugh.

[@Lawncology]

I make it so difficult. I love that everyone is having fun with it!

[@lou8891]

Did the chat count

[@StrikitRich]

@@lou8891 Didn't see the live chat working today

[@donslawns1]

Great work, and awesome advice! 👀 tiny yeti peekaboo.

[@Lawncology]

Yes! Thank you!

[@anthonymyers4378]

Loved the Christmas Vacation reference!

[@Lawncology]

Lol. Thanks

[@bigdrumnc378]

John....lol it’s worth price of admission for the molasses!!!! This is one of my fav gcf products!

[@Lawncology]

Yes it is, thats something ive used for many many years behind the scenes

[@Travis2L]

LMAO at the quick clip of thatch being chucked at the guy HAHA

[@Lawncology]

Travis T. 😂😂

[@iceman846]

Get on with it

[@johnkaneiii9167]

Its funny i saw yeti, but my phone 📱 worte very, lol, On occasion it has wrote worse things!! 👍🤣😂

[@Lawncology]

lol. like you need anymore goodies :) :)

[@johnkaneiii9167]

@@Lawncology That's Very 💯 true 👍

[@johnmarkflower4859]

Tiny Yeti under the sun joe!!

[@nickrhoden5178]

No scarifying huh? I've always been lead to believe that it promotes the grass to spread when you cut through the crown?

[@Lawncology]

I suppose it would depend on the grass type, blue grass can send up to 1300 daughter plants a year via rhizomes. That's with just letting it do its thing

[@lewisbrazil5485]

Will a high earth worm population help to reduce the thatch/dead layer?

[@Lawncology]

Yes

[@tiffanywhite2121]

Matt looks like Hank voight from Chicago pd :)

[@TurfMechanic]

Exactly what I wanted to know about how thatch builds up and why so much of it just looks like dead grass clippings. Thanks!

[@Lawncology]

Thank you!!

[@xcrosswordsx2252]

Mini yeti

[@jamiefeyen7316]

8:26 tiny yeti

[@bigredwag]

Intro audio levels need to be cut in half please...said my wife's ears

[@Lawncology]

Tell your wife I apologize for that. Looks like I missed that balance.

[@alexn5520]

Tiny Yeti!

[@StrikitRich]

Tiny Yeti

[@amberbrown5956]

Hey JP I use the sun joe each year mostly on its highest setting in my GCI TTTF & TTTF MIX turf. I’ve been doing this each year in the fall as part of my fall seeding routine (prior to seeding) I use the scarifier. Everything seems to work out great allows good seed to soil contact and since doing so I’ll add I’ve only been manual aerating areas that require it and not my entire lawn each year. I also keep my lawn shorter in winter months but I’m in VA so I usually get to enjoy the mow year round so I only go down 2 notches or so from my mowers highest setting for those months depending on how it’s looking. I also used it yesterday to try to get rid of some POA that’s the 😈 as my hands were sore from pulling so it can have multiple uses. Lol, Have a good one and as always thanks for all the great info.

[@Lawncology]

that little machine is impressive. I was talking to Jared (Ginja) about his and hes planning on running the broom attachment on his new Allet mower this year since he cleaned it so well with the Sun Joe

[@garykennedy5263]

Tiny yeti!

[@davebellefleur3382]

Tiny yeti

[@kingstonzincfence]

This ain’t even a beautiful lawn. I see lots of weeds and bare spots.

[@Lawncology]

Thanks for watching, there are zero weeds in this lawn but there are compacted areas from the reel mower where deeper edging and overhang affected the turf. It will all be filled in as we get into the actual growing season.

[@capt_ramius]

Tiny yeti!

[@capt_ramius]

Sorry, *Tiny* Yeti... hadn’t had my coffee yet. Have some pity on my poor, uncaffeinated soul.

[@capt_ramius]

@8:30

[@minoutv7347]

Tiny Yeti

[@bigdrumnc378]

Tiny yeti

[@southjerseylawnguy2705]

Tiny yeti