Before saying “so long” to yard work at the end of autumn, homeowners should remove thatch from their lawns. Thatch is dead grass that’s often identifiable by its yellowish tint, and this dead grass, if left to loom in the lawn over the winter, can block air and moisture from making its way into the soil. That can make it difficult for a lawn to recover come the spring and may even cost homeowners a substantial amount of money to address when winter finally skips town. When removing thatch, resist the temptation to rake with lots of physical force, as raking too hard can harm the lawn. Instead, commit to three or four easy passes with the rake, as this will collect the thatch without damaging the lawn. Many people rent a dethatcher from a nearby lawn and garden supply store, and such a device can make the process of removing thatch much easier. However, be sure to clean the machine before using it on your lawn, as there is no way of telling what condition the previous renter’s lawn was in when he or she used the device. Failing to clean the dethatcher can spread disease from a previous renter’s lawn onto your own, and that can prove another costly mistake come the spring when your lawn is looking to rebound. If seeding the lawn in early fall, which can be a great time to reseed, remove the thatch before laying down any new seed. If you wait to remove thatch until after you have laid down new seed, then the lawn likely won’t benefit from the seed and you will likely just rake the new seed away when it comes time to remove thatch.
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