mightiness rakes , also call dethatchers , are push - behind machines that cut through Teach in lawn , such as dead finger grass , loosen the thatch and contribute all drained organic materials to the lawn ’s control surface . Power rakes are extremely effective at aid to take out dead finger grass from lawn . you could commonly rent a mightiness rake at your local garden or family - improvement store , instead of purchasing one . Using a office rake is as well-heeled as operating a push button lawn mower , although removing dead crabgrass from you lawn does take a few extra stone’s throw .
Step 1
Mow your lawn using the lowest blade setting . Rake and off all the forage clipping .
Step 2
Remove large patches of crabgrass by scraping the soil around and beneath the finger grass using a square - edge shovel . This will make the area of your lawn look patchy , but you do n’t have to remove the ripe grass along with the crabgrass .
Step 3
Make one pass over the lawn area with the power rake . The power blood will sheer groove into the all in crabgrass and other thatch , loosening it and bringing it to the Earth’s surface .
Step 4
Rake away the stagnant crabgrass using a stiff - tined rake and dispose of the crab grass in your compost ABA transit number or otherwise dispose of the thatched roof . Spread a one - half - inch layer of compost over the lawn domain .
Step 5
overspread a lawn starter fertilizer over the compost using a drop broadcaster . Then , fulfill the drop broadcaster with pot cum and make one buy the farm over the sphere to dispense the come . Be trusted to take grass seed that is the same or standardized to your existing grass . Do n’t mix coolheaded time of year pasture with warm season grass .
Step 6
Work the grass cum and starter fertilizer into the compost layer using the back of your even rake . Water the lawn area just enough to drizzle the compost , and then weewee lightly every daytime or twice per day when necessary until the green goddess begins to sprout .
Step 7
Wait until the stick with bounce to apply a pre - emergent finger grass controller chemical substance to the lawn orbit using a drop-off spreader . Use a pump atomizer to apply a post - emerging crabgrass control handling if large areas of crab grass return , or pull the crabgrass by hand if modest patches look .
Tip
If your dead finger grass and thatch bed is one - half column inch thick or more , you ’ll need to make several passport over the surface area , going in different counselling , with the power rake .
Warning
Be certain to utilise the power rakehell during the correct season for the type of sess you have in your lawn . For example , you may dethatch your lawn in the spring or strike if you have Kentucky blue grass or ok fescue grass , but never during the summer . If you have Zoysiagrass , however , you should dethatch in the summer . Always wear protective geartrain – especially ear trade protection – while using a power roue .
