A layer of dead organic material on your lawn, called thatch, is great in moderation. A thin layer of thatch acts as a buffer that keeps the soil moist, regulates its temperature, and adds nutrients ...

Aeration tackles the problem of soil compaction. Dethatching removes troublesome thatch from your lawn. Both promote air flow, and both can be achieved using either manual or mechanical devices.

Our lawn-care experts selected the best dethatchers based on performance, ease of use, brand reliability, and value for ...

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Decayed grass blades and stems—known as thatch—can prevent your lawn from absorbing the water and oxygen ...