If water runs off without penetrating the grass, it may be time to dethatch your lawn. Thatch is a thin layer of organic debris that forms between the leaf blades and roots. Examine your grass for an underlying layer of thatch. It will look like a matting of old, grayish-brown grass stems that have grown together.

A thin layer of thatch (½ inch or less) provides insulation against temperature extremes and fluctuations in soil moisture. However, if your lawn has more than one inch layer of thatch above the soil surface, the lawn needs to be dethatched.

Primary causes of thatch are over watering, over fertilizing and mowing too high. Use our professional lawn care services to prevent extreme thatch buildup.

For northern grass, the best time to dethatch your entire lawn is in late summer to early fall when the grass is actively growing.

In early spring, and for small areas, use a thatching rake, which is a sharp-tined rake that rips the thatch out of the lawn. Leaf rakes or hard rakes can be used but may not work as well.