[drlushin]

I have a dethatcher machine rented for Friday morning. Last Saturday I scalped below 1'" w/ rotary mower and burned all clippings. This will be my first time dethatching so have a few questions.

1. How far into the ground should I aim for the dethatch blades to go? I know I don't want to till the ground, but just not sure if there is a general depth range I should be aiming for?

2. Since I scalped below 1" w/ rotary, do I need to scalp the lawn further w/ teh 260SL before running dethatcher? I have yet to take the 260SL on it's maiden voyage. My plan was to mow w/ reel mower the weekend after dethatching. Should I scalp lower w/ reel mower and then dethatch?

3. We are supposed to get some good rain Thursday. While my yard drains/dries fairly quick, would I want it to be completely dry before dethatching?

Any feedback or suggestions for first time dethatching would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ware]

1. How far into the ground should I aim for the dethatch blades to go? I know I don't want to till the ground, but just not sure if there is a general depth range I should be aiming for?

I would shoot for just scratching the surface. The actual depth may depend on whether the unit you are renting has fixed notches or an adjustable screw for depth adjustment. Ideally you just want to go deep enough to sever any stolons that are growing along the ground.

2. Since I scalped below 1" w/ rotary, do I need to scalp the lawn further w/ teh 260SL before running dethatcher? I have yet to take the 260SL on it's maiden voyage. My plan was to mow w/ reel mower the weekend after dethatching. Should I scalp lower w/ reel mower and then dethatch?

You could go either way here. I typically scalp it with the reel mower, then dethatch, then mow it again with the reel. When the turf is very dense, you will find that you get to the point where the reel isn't cutting much because it is floating on the matted stolons. You can then dethatch and get a little lower. If you cut with a rotary last year, you probably won't have this problem - you'll find the bermuda very stemmy and sparse at the low HOC.

3. We are supposed to get some good rain Thursday. While my yard drains/dries fairly quick, would I want it to be completely dry before dethatching?

That's a tough call. You would have less dust, but don't want to make a muddy mess when the blades contact the soil. I would just try it in a small spot and play it by ear.

Any feedback or suggestions for first time dethatching would be greatly appreciated.

Don't try to remove too much at one time with the reel. Depending on the density of the turf, you may only be able to take off ~0.10" with each pass. Here again, you'll just sort of play it by ear.

Good luck and take lots of pictures!

 

[drlushin]

Thanks as always for your kind and detailed response.

I got a little confused w/ the 2nd to last sentence. It's probably because of my limited knowledge on the dethatch subject. So when you said " Depending on the density of the turf, you may only be able to take of ~0.10" with each pass."

I thought a dethatcher cut vertically rather than horizontally. Can you please help me wrap my mind around that
sentence. Appreciate ya buddy

 

[J_nick]

He was talking about the reel mower only being able to cut ~0.10"

 

[Ware]

Thanks as always for your kind and detailed response.

I got a little confused w/ the 2nd to last sentence. It's probably because of my limited knowledge on the dethatch subject. So when you said " Depending on the density of the turf, you may only be able to take of ~0.10" with each pass."

I thought a dethatcher cut vertically rather than horizontally. Can you please help me wrap my mind around that
sentence. Appreciate ya buddy

Sure - I was talking about the greens mower. You may only be able to take it down 0.10-0.15" at a time if the turf is really thick. You should be able to go at full depth with the verticutter, but I wouldn't rule out making two passes in different directions with it, depending on how much material you remove with the first pass. As our friend @SimonR likes to say about bermuda... treat it mean, keep it green. :mrgreen:

ETA: J_nick beat me to it.

 

[drlushin]

Outstanding... thanks for clarification.

 

[Redtenchu]

Thanks as always for your kind and detailed response.

He aims to treat people as he would like to be treated, that Ware guy is good people.

 

[drlushin]

From my reading over the past 10 months, I'd say there are quite a few folks who follow his lead, including you.

Matthew 7:12
Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.