How To Use A Pull Behind Dethatcher?

Extracting thatch from your garden manually can seem like quite a task. But with some help from a dethatcher, it won’t seem very challenging anymore. 

Unlike trimming grass, removing thatch can be tricky as it mainly exists at the bottom of the grass and sticks close to the soil. It can be anything from dead stems to grass and roots that get collected at the bottom of the plants. However, remember that some amount of thatch is also good for your soil. But then the question is, how do you remove the rest of the thatch? 

I am an avid gardener, and for the last decade, I have received many queries from friends about how I dethatch my garden so well. And I thought about finally putting all my thoughts to frame this guide so that all my readers could benefit from it. Hi! I am Stacy Smith, and today I will explain how to use a pull-behind dethatcher efficiently. 

So, without any further delay, let’s dive right in!

When To Use The Pull-Behind Dethatcher?

From my decade-long experience in gardening, I have learned that dethatching and aeration are not quite the same. Aeration works only if you have compact soil in your garden. However, for removing thatch, dethatching is the only way to make your garden prim and proper. And the type of soil doesn’t really matter in this regard.

My grandkids used to park their cars on my lawn, and for a long time, which made the soil more compact and dense over time.

But if you are finding it difficult to understand the exact nature of the soil, you can put a screwdriver through the surface to see if it can penetrate the bottom layers. If it does not, the soil has become compact and needs aeration. Otherwise, dethatching it is a better option. 

During the growing season, I would recommend that to dethatch and aerate at the same time to improve the soil quality. If you grow a cool-season grass variety, then performing both these procedures during late summer or early fall will aid its development. 

On the other hand, if you have warm-season grass, try doing them during early summer.

Setting Up The Pull-Behind Dethatcher

Before you can start using your pull-behind dethatcher model, it is crucial to check if the hook-up is installed right in place. Some models come with universal hitch pins, which means that you can seamlessly attach them with all kinds of tractors or utility vehicles. 

However, you might have a unit that needs some modification depending on the riding mower or any other equipment you wish to tow it with. But don’t worry; even if there is a need for alteration, it won’t take much effort. 

When installing a pull-behind dethatcher, the first thing to do is to park the tow vehicle on a flat surface like the sidewalk, driveway, or garage floor. Once you are done with that, attach the dethatcher to your towing vehicle using the necessary attachment accessories. 

And then the rest will be confetti! All you have to do next is adjust the height according to the requirement, and you will be good to go.

Use The Dethatcher Like A Pro

To use a dethatcher in the best possible way, it is really essential that you learn how to use it properly. When using it, engage the thatch first and then deflect the rear portion as you drag the dethatcher forward. This will help the spring present in the device receive optimum resistance through the trapped thatch, thereby helping it move forward and upward. 

This is a very crucial step. If the tines are set low, the chances are that they will fail to flip forward, and that would eventually lead to unwanted complications in functioning. And for this reason, I would suggest that you maintain optimal tine height to ensure smooth functioning.

Things To Keep In Mind When Dethatching

I always start dethatching with the simple step of running the mower over my lawn at least 3 times in different  directions. This is because I have seen that achieving the desired result is not possible with a single pass in one direction. At times, I even give it more than 3 passes to ensure that the area is thoroughly cleaned. 

The reason why I always ensure that the grass is trimmed well before dethatching is it allows the device to function more efficiently. So, I would recommend that you also do this before beginning with the work.

And while you are at it, keep changing the direction by 90 degrees as that will make the overall process more effective. Keep in mind that your device will mostly bring up dead grass, roots, moss and dead plant build-ups with each pass that you make. 

Another thing to remember is to keep adjusting the height to achieve the desired result. Apart from that, I would suggest that you keep an eye on the operating speed. From what I have observed, I’d say that towing at a speed of 3mph or less is suitable for most lawns.

Final Words