Power raking

[Sheephead Slayer]

I have really bad thatch build-up to the point I have dead spots and browning areas. My grass is thin and my lawn is bumpy. My plan is to rent a power-rake (large yard) assuming my lawn is going to look terrible afterwards from all the bumps getting torn up and weeds getting ripped up. Then what fertilizer do you reccomend? I have crab grass and other weird stuff growing, plus I believe I have multiple types of grass growing. I know this is a bad time of year but I cant stand it anymore. Or is this a bad plan?

Thanks

[fishnowworknever]

I'm no pro, but I've always been told that core aeration is a better way to go over power raking. Typically done in the fall, I'm sure lwnmwnman will chime in though.

[LwnmwnMan2]

It's not a good plan, IMO.

Right now, with the heat and humidity, the only thing that's really flourishing is the weeds.

If you power rake, you're going to open up the ground for more weeds, which will take hold virtually immediately.

If you wait until the first of Sept. (usually sooner, but there's no end to this heat in sight) you'll have a better chance for the new seed to take hold without getting snuffed out by weeds.

Do you have irrigation? Some thatch is good for the ground. You need to pull a plug out of the ground, then you can tell if you have bad thatch, or good thatch.

Think of thatch like this...

Tonight, with a low of 72-75, good thatch would be like having the air conditioning set at 58 in the house, but still using a light cotton sheet when you're sleeping. Bad thatch would be like pulling the winter comforter over you as well. You're going to be overheating the lawn, but the thin sheet keeps you comfortable. If you didn't have any sheet, you'd be uncomfortable as wel.