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It’s all well and good keeping your lawn mowed and trimmed but if you want it to be truly healthy then there are other processes you’ll need to undertake. Removing debris and thatch allows your lawn to breathe and improves drainage, therefore promoting healthier growth.
This isn’t something you’ll need to do as often as mowing but dethatching and/or scarifying is something that should be included in your lawn care schedule.
I’ve spoken to a lot of people that aren’t sure of the difference between a scarifier and a dethatcher and feel as though they’re looking for a needle in a haystack when it comes to choosing the right tool for them.
If you feel as though you want to ramp up your lawn care but aren’t sure where to start when buying an electric dethatcher and scarifier then you’re in the right place. I’ve put together this beginners guide on choosing a tool and I’ll also be answering all of your burning questions.
Benefits Of An Electric Dethatcher And Scarifier
The more attention you pay to your lawn, the healthier, greener and more beautiful it will be. Having the right tools is essential to getting started but since an electric dethatcher and scarifier isn’t something you’ll use probably more than once or twice per season, a lot of people think it’s just not necessary. I’m here to tell you that it’s an incredibly worthwhile investment and to prove that, let’s take a look at some of the benefits.
Improved Lawn Health
Without scarifying or dethatching, you’ll soon notice that the health of your lawn deteriorates. This is because, over time, the soil will compact and this reduces how effectively it drains. Ultimately, it becomes much harder for the soil to absorb water and nutrients that are essential to the healthy growth of grass.
When you regularly schedule dethatching and scarifying, you will begin to notice a marked improvement in the health of your lawn as it’s getting the most nutrients and moisture to promote growth.
Saves Time And Effort
It is possible to use manual tools to scarify or dethatch your lawn but this requires a serious amount of effort. I don’t know about you but when it comes to lawn care, I look for tools that are going to make the job as easy as possible.
With an electric dethatcher and scarifier you won’t need to exert anywhere near as much effort as this powered tool will do all the hard work for you. What’s more, it’s a lot quicker than using a manual rake or tool so you’ll have more time to sit back and admire your beautiful backyard.
Cost Effective
As I have already mentioned, a dethatcher and scarifier isn’t a tool you’re going to be using all the time and this can cause people to believe it’s a waste of money. But that isn’t the case. Yes, there is something of an investment upfront but in the long run, you’ll save hundreds of dollars on landscaping and professional garden maintenance.
Factors To Consider Before Buying An Electric Dethatcher And Scarifier
The wonderful thing about being a modern consumer is that you have an excellent degree of choice when it comes to yard tools. However, this can leave a lot of people scratching their head and wondering which is the best electric dethatcher and scarifier. So, before you part with any of your hard earned cash, take a look at the following points and consider each of them to help you make the right purchase.
Lawn Size
Just like your lawn mower, a dethatcher and scarifier comes with varying deck sizes. This is usually given in inches and tells you how much ground the machine will cover in one pass.
If you have a very large lawn then there’s no point in buying a small dethatcher and scarifier as it’ll take all afternoon to get the job done. On the other hand, it could be overkill to buy a tool with a huge width if you only have a small area of grass.
Power
The more powerful the motor in your electric dethatcher or scarifier, the faster the blades will spin and the more effective the machine will be. However, bigger doesn’t always mean better as it largely depends on the size of your lawn.
If you have a small to medium sized yard then you might be able to get away with a dethatcher and scarifier between 800 and 1000 watts. On the other hand, those of you with a larger garden might want to look for something up to 1300 watts just to make life easier.
Blades and Tines
The blades on a dethatcher or scarifier are called tines and these spin around, loosening old grass clippings, moss, thatch and other debris. In a high end model, you might expect to have up to 40 tines but with more budget friendly tools there could be 15 to 20. Again, it pays to think about the size of your lawn and the condition of the grass and soil.
I’d also recommend taking some time to think about the quality of the blades. You’ll usually find that they’re made from steel and this is the best option as it’s a durable material that can be sharpened sufficiently to better penetrate the ground.
Durability and Maintenance
I would never advise spending money on a tool that’s just going to fall apart within a few uses. Fortunately, there are some excellent brands in the US and I’ll talk more about these later on. But spend some time looking at the material from which the dethatcher is made and read reviews to make sure it’s a robust and well made piece of equipment.
I’d also suggest looking at how easy it is to take care of your new tool. The great thing about electric tools is that there’s no need to mess around with fuel and parts as you would when buying a gas model. However, you’ll want to make sure that the dethatcher and scarifier is easy to clean and that it’s not a challenge to get your hands on spare parts should you need to.
Always be sure to purchase a tool that comes with a decent warranty so you’re covered in the event that anything goes wrong.
Top Electric Scarifier And Dethatcher Brands In The US
Here in the United States, there are some amazing yard tool brands and I’m sure you’re familiar with some of the biggest names. However, I would like to point out a few manufacturers that I personally believe make some of the best dethatchers and scarifiers on the market today.
Greenworks
Greenworks is a manufacturer that makes yard tools affordable but yet doesn’t cut corners where quality is concerned. One of their best-selling electric dethatchers, the G40DT35 boasts 20 tines and 3200 rpm for super fast and efficient dethatching.
All Greenworks tools are ergonomically designed so using them is comfortable and easy. Plus, they’re lightweight, compact and have features that even a total beginner would find simple to use. What’s more, the company gives you a generous three year warranty for greater peace of mind.
- KEEP YOUR YARD HEALTHY : dethatch in early spring or early fall for cool-season grasses, and in late spring through early summer (after the 2nd mowing) for warm-season grasses.Speed : 3700 RPM, Motor : 120 V, AC only, 60 Hz, 10 Amps
- POWERFUL MOTOR : 10A motor provides the power you need to tackle the toughest jobs
- 14” DETHATCHING PATH : allows you to complete jobs faster and more efficiently
- 3-POSITION HEIGHT ADJUST : provides greater control by removing matted layers to promote lawn health
- STAINLESS STEEL TINES : stays sharp longer for reliable performance
Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Sun Joe
For small to medium sized yards, the Sun Joe dethatcher is an ideal choice, It’s got a 15 inch working width and comes with a range of features such as a 13 amp motor, 13 scarifier blades and 32 dethatching blades, a collection bag and it’s made from high quality materials including super strong steel blades.
Sun Joe has been around since 2009 and has earned a reputation as an affordable manufacturer that makes great quality tools. In fact, in its short lifespan, the company has become one of the most trusted names in the yard tool world.
Sun Joe AJ805E 15-Inch 13-Amp Electric Dethatcher and Scarifier Review
- [IDEAL]: For revitalizing small to mid-sized lawns.No Load Speed (rpm) 2990.Length of Cord (ft.) : 1, Deck Cleanout : No.
- [POWERFUL]: 13-amp motor rakes a 15" wide path to get your job done faster
- [SCARIFIER]: Function to cut grass roots for thicker growth, healthier lawns
- [AIRBOOST TECHNOLOGY]: Spring steel tines for maximum thatch pickup
- [MAINTENANCE FREE]: No gas, oil or tune-ups
Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Earthwise
Earthwise is owned by the American Lawn Mower Company and has an outstanding reputation for making great quality, easy to use tools that won’t break the bank. One of the things I see time and again is people talking about how the Earthwise DT71613 is easy to assemble and ideal for smaller lawns.
There are various working depths and 45 super sharp tines as well as a large collection bag so you have everything you need to get outside, do the work and then get on with your day.
- Powerful 13-Amp motor delivers power and performace similar to gas-powered dethatchers; Bail wire switch for safe start every time
- 16" working width for dethatching small to large yards; 40 gallon grass catcher for catching debris quickly and cleanly
- -0.4" to 0.4" working depth for either scratching the surface or reaching the roots of the grass for ultimate dethatching
- Loosen up matted layers of grass and debris with 45 spring pins; Spring pins made of zinc-plated piano wire for long-lasting and quality performance
- Corded electric plug-in and requires low maintenance, no gas or oil resulting in no fumes or mess
Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
WORX
I’m a huge fan of WORX and I know that this is a company that many people put their trust in. It’s a well known household name that produces everything from power drills to lawn mowers and everything in between, including an electric dethatcher and scarifier.
The WORX WG850 boasts 24 steel tines and a 14 inch working width. It’s an incredibly robust piece of equipment but lightweight and easy to store at the same time. What’s more, the manufacturer gives you a three year warranty so you can feel extra confident in the equipment.
- [3 DEPTH ADJUSTMENTS] Set the Dethatcher to minus 9mm, minus 3mm or plus 3mm. Some lawns need deeper dethatching, some just need to be managed
- [EASY TO STORE] The handle folds down so you can throw it in the corner of the garage or the trunk
- [LOCK-OFF SWITCH] Stop quickly when you need to. The lock-off switch also keeps things safe and power efficient
- [COLLECTION BAG] This keeps you from blowing dead grass shoots, stems, and roots all over your feet and your yard
- [DO IT YOURSELF. DO IT BETTER. DO IT WITH WORX.] WORX tools are engineered with cutting-edge technology, and above modern efficiency standards, so you can build a cost-effective tool collection that’s been designed to last
- [SPECS] 3500 rpm no-load speed, 14” cutting width, 0.9 bushels of collection capacity, and 18.6 lbs.
Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How To Use An Electric Dethatcher And Scarifier
If you have never used an electric dethatcher and scarifier before, it can feel a little intimidating. But once you get to grips with the tool, you’ll find that it’s really easy to use and your lawn will certainly thank you for it. Here are a few tips to get you started.
- Make sure to choose the right time to dethatch and scarify your lawn as doing it at the wrong time could damage the lawn and prevent it from recovering as quickly. Warm season grasses should always be treated at the end of spring or early summer whereas cool season grasses should be treated as we exit summer and move into fall.
- Before you use your electric dethatcher and scarifier, be sure to mow the lawn as shorter grass will make it easier for the tool to pick up the most debris.
- It’s recommended to dethatch your lawn when it’s slightly moist but not soaking. I would suggest watering the lawn a couple of days in advance.
- Plug your tool in and press the power button to turn it on.
- You’ll need to run the dethatcher over the lawn around three times but this depends on how much thatch and debris has built up since you last did it.
- As soon as you’re done, be sure to remove the piles of thatch from the lawn.
- Now is a great time to seed your lawn and do some topdressing. Over the course of the next four to five weeks, you should start to see some improved growth and positive changes to the lawn.
Conclusion
If you want a healthy and beautiful looking lawn then it’s vital that you perform regular maintenance. Mowing, seeding, and fertilizing are all essential but it’s also important to schedule in dethatching and scarifying at least once every mowing season.
Buying the right tool can feel daunting if you’ve never done it before but there are a lot of excellent electric dethatcher and scarifier tools out there from some very well known brands.
By comparing models and thinking about the needs of your yard, you’ll be able to choose the right equipment for the job. When you’ve finished, you’ll breathe new life into your lawn and notice how much healthier and greener it looks. For lawns that have started to turn brown and look lifeless, doing this routine maintenance will promote new growth. It’s a no brainer!
Electric Dethatcher and Scarifier FAQ
What’s the difference between a dethatcher and a scarifier?
It is possible to buy a 2 in 1 tool or purchase dethatchers and scarifiers separately. In any case, it’s important to know what each tool is for. A scarifier cuts into the soil vertically and helps to improve drainage and is more invasive whereas a dethatcher removes debris and thatch, allowing better airflow and drainage around the lawn.
Is it worth buying an electric dethatcher and scarifier?
If you want your lawn to be healthy and grow well then investing in a dethatcher and scarifier is a great option. They’re not expensive tools and will save you money on landscaping in the long run.
How do I prepare my lawn for dethatching?
Before using your dethatcher, be sure to mow the lawn and ensure the soil is slightly moist. Always wait until after dethatching to fertilize your lawn.
How many times a year do I need to dethatch my lawn?
For most yards, it’ll only be necessary to dethatch the lawn once a year. However, if there is a lot of thatch build up you may need to do it an additional time. Always make sure you choose the right time of year according to your grass type.
How do you know when your lawn has too much thatch?
If your grass starts looking brown or matted then this is a sign that a lot of thatch has built up. Moreover, lawns that have too much thatch won’t soak up water as easily so you may see water falling off of it or pooling instead of being absorbed.
