Prepping lawn for spring - hardened dirt

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: supton
Can you thatch (dethatch?) using a bow rake? Just give it a good rubbing with the rake so as to dig up anything dead. I try to do that in the spring, dig up dead grass and to dig out pine needles. I just have to gauge the work by how soft the ground is, so as to avoid ripping up good grass (or the moss imitating grass).


Haven't tried. I use a metal rake like that image I borrowed from the toro site.

I do have one so I could try... It is, I suppose, a bit more heavy-handed approach

 

[spasm3]

I don't think you need to aerate every year, but if its never been done, it will help lime and fertilizer get to the roots.

Like Pop Rivet said, you really should not have to de-thatch unless there is a problem.
One exception is if you have dogs. A pull behind de-thatcher is good for a yard with dogs.
If you have long dry spells, dog poo can get really hard and not break down. especially if its a larger dog. De-thatching with a rake is just not practical unless its a really small area.