Thanks for watching today's video. Check out the description to see the products I used today. If you're looking for the best treatments for your lawn, check out my favorite products: Fertilizer 🛒 Propeat Fertilizer (Home Depot): tinyurl.com/vfmrs480 Yard Equipment 🛒 Sun Joe Scarifier and dethatcher (REQUIRES 12Gaugae Extension Cord) Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/2MPTHQG 🛒 12gauge 100ft extension cord Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/2MQ7hn3 🛒 Thatch Rake Amazon (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/rimz6luc 🛒 Spyker hand held spreader Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/3jAMP6V 🛒 Levelawn Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/31Ry6e9 🛒 Rain Gauge 10 pack Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/3dWEoQU 🛒 Thermometer (Taylor digital thermometer) Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/30fvZ7v 🛒 FlowZone Typhoon 2V Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/3rH6ncR DoMyOwn (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/423najqv 🛒 FlowZone Storm Backpack Sprayer Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/3aTOeSt DoMyOwn (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/53g8qmog 🛒 Solo Handheld Sprayer 2 Gallon w/ fan nozzle Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/2O2ApHy Herbicides for Cool Season Grass 🛒 Speedzone (For hard to kill weeds) Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/2UkBVpC Domyown (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/y3emhy5a 🛒 T-Zone Herbicide (For hard to do weeds) Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/2ZWLy3L Domyown (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/y4tqhy3o 🛒 Tenacity (Crabgrass and annual grass control) Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/2L9xzP0 Domyown (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/y2go983a 🛒 Non-ionic Surfactant (to be purchased with Tenacity) Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/2LduNIk Domyown (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/y653upkf 🛒 Methylated Seed Oil Duo Stick (Purchase with quinclorac products like drive xlr8) Domyown (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/yxt5q2zo 🛒 Drive XLR8 Quinclorac (annual grass killer / crabgrass killer) Domyown (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/48b8jssy Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/2ZWZI4N 🛒 Quinclorac 1.5L (annual grass killer / crabgrass killer) Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/31ywx53 Domyown (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/m48nud7m Herbicides Warm Season grass types (READ LABEL FOR GRASS TYPE / WEED TARGET) 🛒 Weed Free Zone (general weed killer) Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/3aPRdeB Domyown (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/4tlraqeq 🛒 Dismiss NXT (annual grass killer) Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/3qbtBaB Domyown (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/10xoaovn 🛒 Certainty (annual grass killer/crabgrass killer) Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/3d0Lt4c Domyown (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/14o52u3i Bug Sprays 🛒 Demand CS (Great to control most pests inside and out) Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/2muP9Ue Domyown (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/v133017a 🛒 Transport mikron (Great for ant control and general pest) Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/2ntfDW8 Domyown (PAID LINK): tinyurl.com/2de4vs6f As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links marked as “PAID LINK” are affiliated.

Dude, you rock! That was EXACTLY the info I was looking for. My centipede lawn is doing phenomenal right now and I didn’t want to accidentally destroy it but the dead grass buildup and thatch are very evident if I mow below 3”. The previous owners never removed either and neglected the lawn. I’ve put hundred of hours into leveling, fixing dead patches and fertilizing and mowing trying to get it perfect and finally it’s very close to perfection. I’m going to rent both machines and get this done before the hurricane comes and jacks us up some with flooding...lol. Thank you!

You know it's a great video when you finish watching it and you feel like the expert. I can't wait for my neighbor to ask me what I'm doing so I can sound like the expert he's a real pain in the thatch.

Most people do not understand the difference between thatch and debris. Your video clearly defines both. Well done.

I took Botany 101 at Ohio State University back in 1970 which stimulated my interest in plants/nature and has been latent until now, my retirement. You are now advancing my field of vision with essential things I can now explore & implement. Stellar video & content!

Just found your site. My wife calls me a grass nazi cause I dream of a perfect lawn and I try everything to get it. Unfortunately where we live the soil is so sandy and compacted. I bought years ago and was using a cheap Kung fu looking star bladed aerator that just didn’t do a great job. Your video was so informative and I so appreciate the information you gave. I’m going to rent that exact aerator from our local rental equipment shop and hopefully it’ll help get me the lawn I would like to see. Thanks again!

Excellent content and delivery. A key tip presented about every 50 seconds. I liked the comparison of tools. I also greatly appreciate when you cite and detail specific products which you recommend to treat lawn problems. Please keep up the great sharing of your expertise. You can't find someone with this knowledge at a home improvement store or a farm equipment store. Future videos: clover lawns, nutsedge (the weed that keeps on giving)--so many of the treatments cost a lot and don't seem to be effective in eradication, shaded lawns (you don't seem to have a huge tree on your lawn).

You are very knowledgeable, thank you for all of your videos. I am in Boston MA, I use earator like yours, I call it the beast...eat your wheaties that morning. I also have 2 slice seeding machines, both 22 inches, both with staight hard slicing blades. The vertical blades makes slit slices into the ground, clean up that top layer of debris, but also dig and loosen the earth for seed prep. So my usual plan is scalp the lawn with a mower, catch clippings. Next I core earate, then I finish with slice seeding. My bluenird has a drop spreader on the front, but I don't use it, I prefer spreading grass seed with a broadcast spreader. Of course, entire lawn gets hand raked before seeding, then one final slice pass to reopen slits, then seeding, then light rake and light roll with water drum roll. This method, for me, has very good germination rates. It is a lot of work and I charge accordingly. Your methods are right on the money, you are very nice to make these videos. Thanks again for all you do.

He should be called the grass doctor. I love people that explain as if they’re having a conversation with you and not acting like you’re crazy for not knowing these things. I’ve cut grass since I was 10 but now being a homeowner, it’s just not cutting grass.

Your video are the best of all the lawn care videos.

I think you should do a before and after lawn makeover, and I just so happen to have the perfect lawn for it.

...mmm I fire up the ole SUN JOE in March and in late November and it pulls LOADS of dead grass ! Its one SWEET machine ! If you plan to run a power rake - first mow the grass short . Then run the machine and then mow up the mess ! Its much faster and easier then RAKING !

I bought a house last year with a very unkempt lawn and I've made it worse. I've made the decision to bring it back to life! Thanks for your videos..I was going to borrow my brothers groundskeeper rake but I ended up buying this! Thanks for the review

New subscriber!! Great content! Binge watching many lawn service company’s on how to manage my lawn, you sir have hit the point and make it easy for me to understand how to do and next step to take! Now off to watch many more videos from you! Thanks again!

Great job! Your experience is invaluable, and your presentation is great.

One of the best videos for getting good lawns, touching thorough almost factors!

Yet another great video. You not only give great tips to achieve a healthier lawn, but you give actual REASONS based in fact and science.

Hey everyone out there this guy knows his grass!

Nicely done. Concise, to the point, no mucho-blah-blah, I feel like I actually learned a few things that'll come in handy..

Used a power rake and core aerator last week, over seeded, applied organic fertilizer and also lime to fix the PH. I felt as if i had gone 10 rounds in the ring and the lawns look pretty beat-up too! Looking forward to the results of my labour next year... cheers!

I have so many weeds I'm guessing thinly way to get my lawn to do anything is to power rake and add gypsum then maybe re-seed or use Jerry's dawn, beer, and epsom salt fertilizer - last time I aerated, I got more clover! Wish I could have a nice lawn but not gonna happen - I Iive in IL

Great video! You answered my next questions as if we were having a conversation. Thanks

Hi ginger. I commented on your video last night and was amazed that you replied. I watch a lot of KZfaq videos for different reasons. I am a bespoke cabinet maker and am not a silly bloke. When I watched you... you are very informative with out being boring. God bless you xxxxxx

I hate thatch, it was my problem. Had my gardener come in and remove most of and then aerate it and now my law looks great. It take less water as well. Thanks for the tips as I am a newbie to all this as a first time homeowner. Definitely will be keeping that thatch level down from here on out with proper maintenance.

Very well spoken, clean videos, and detailed explanation. Good job, and thank you!

Cool clip...it clarifies and demystify a lot of things for me. Thanks for sharing !!!

Outstanding video! Notice the very clear explanation of which method actually removes thatch, i.e. the core aerator, and not the power rake. And yes, power raking before aeration is best, especially when over-seeding in the fall.

You know I’ve watched your videos on and off and this one made me hit the subscribe button. I’ve worked with lawns commercially for many years and your advice was spot on. Thanks.

You are fantastic! I'm convinced you are the Lawn expert!!

It seems like you only ever show your small front yard. I'd love to see how your back yard looks.

Thank you for this! My boyfriend's lawn used to look pretty bad. I moved in and went to work. I still have a lot of learning to do, but it's often one of the best lawns on the street. Last fall I rented an aerator and my boyfriend did the work. It killed him but when I told him it's almost time to rent it again, he didn't contest! Maybe he forgot how brutal it was. My guess is that it'll be easier to aerate this year due to my care of the lawn. It's getting more water and isn't hard as a rock anymore (clay soil). I will be purchasing a manual rake as well.

First of all thanks for taking the time to educate by showing us. Nice lawns and landscapes are extensions of that building in the middle, "HOME"! Through the seasons I have learned so much about my own area and made it into a hobby/fun because it was a chore that had to happen. I don't often subscribe but I do see that you talk my language regarding green. Inspiration is your gift...

I'm very impressed. You know your lawns. I've learned a ton. It all makes sense. Your presentation was excellent. Thank you so much! Cheers. G

Subbed!!! One of the best lawn care vids I've watched.

Nice!! Aerators are a big deal at our house. My dad is so proud that he has super long plugs. My kids think the plugs are poop and stay away from the lawn. This was excellent! This is coming from someone who has been schooled on the best plugs!! Seriously this is a big deal at our house.

Your video presentations are improving at a dramatic rate, well done! I also like the deeper look into "How things work" such as this video, something that others seem to skim over quickly. For my purposes, I've decided to stick with a manual rake... I need the exercise and my 3000 square foot lawn is manageable (but I do work up a sweat). Manual aerating on the other hand... bah. I'll hire someone with a machine! So thank you for taking the time to make these videos, I look forward to each new one.

Hey mate, awesome video, awesome tips, great beard, solid advice. (Can’t believe I haven’t seen your channel around.) Only thing I would disagree on is that liquid ferts are taken up through the foliage and not through the roots. Obviously some is taken up through the roots and some are marketed to be applied to the roots. So that dead matter and thatch will prevent it infiltrating down into the root zone to an extent. But just as much as water would be prevented. But anyway love the vid mate!

Any body ever say you are the Alton Brown of lawn care?

Nice info. I am a small landscaping startup. I had 1 person ask me if I do thatching and well my dad knows the deal. We gave them an estimate but they said it is too much. So everyone just moved on.

Good job! Your "high altitude" comment was spot on: we live at 7100' in Colorado. Brand new lawn 3 years ago. Tried to let the cut grass be mulch... all I got was a thick layer of dead debris, not real thatch. So now a spongy lawn, very hard to mow, etc... and the soil underneath is compacted. Getting ready to power/manual thatch-rake then pull plugs. Not a huge lawn... we'll see if I have the energy to do the manual raking! :)

Thanks for the vid! Daughter said "I don't think anyone under 30 is watching this" :)

Hmm... power rake, clean up, run the aerator, then run the power rake again to break up the cores and crate a nice even mulch/ thatch layer?

Thanks for this Ginja. That was my thought process before I decided to do a full lawn reno. Even afterwards it still makes logical sense. I decided to start a new YT channel dedicated to turf and much credit to you and your wisdom (I name dropped you in my first video :-). Always look forward to your videos, thank you. Rick

Damn... About time someone explains the differences and the benefits of both.. And.....gives an Explanation of the benefits of leaving the plugs!! I'm your new follower because of this one video! Thanks a million sir!

Nicely done, thanks much!

So what about Bermuda grass? Won't the raking break all the runners/stolons?

GREAT video. i live in western ny and have been pulling my hair ouot trying to figure out this type of grass. I have been rolling it for a long time just to find out thats the worst thing to do. I threw away the roller. Now i know what to do. I grew up in texas where the grass is completely different and very easy to get a lawn to grow nice and green and flat but in the north its a whole new ball game. Thanks again for the video, it helped alot.

Good video from my fellow Utahn. Been on thatch duty last few weeks got 25 bags worth of dead grass and thatch. Also finished aeration yesterday... Lawn already looks happier. Our problems were thatch and grubs... Now for the grubs.

"It's cool guy!"

Thanks for the video. I’m in Riverton, UT. Starting to care more and more about my lawn. Who would I contact for a consultation about improving my lawn?

Great video, enjoyed watching it. I did not realize lawn care was such a complicated business. No wonder my lawn looks like c**p. And at this stage of my life I don't care anymore. But yours look so nice I feel like I want to walk over it with my bare feet! Lol.

Brother, you are absolutely awesome. I felt like I was in a Master's level College Class. Thank you.

I got one of those green work electric dethaching this year and it worked well enough with two passes. I’m tempted to do my whole yard with a manual rake like the one you showed. Can you do harm by dethaching too much? Say twice a year? Mn Kentucky bluegrass new construction with no top soil put down. They just grade the land then lay the sod on top. We got clay soil here. Thanks for your videos.

I bought a thatch machine this year and dethatched my lawn for the first time in 30 years!! I removed 3 bags of dead grass.

Love it when the Pest & Lawn Ginja puts out a new video!

In Michigan with clay soil. Wow I'm tired thinking about 2-3 times a year aerating! Great video though, both are important things to consider going into the fall

You sure know your stuff! Loved watching your video and see that you actually knew what you were talking about!! I subscribed and have to binge watch some of the other videos to get some ideas to try to work on my lawn. Canada here...with a badly damaged lawn! It was neglected for years. With my little knowledge, I have tried to maintain it as well as possible. Thank you over and over again for the advice!

I didn’t know there was a ZZ Top of yard science. Great video. The thatch issue is very confusing for the average guy fighting lawn issues and this is a very educational video.

Great vid. Thanks. I’m watching you here from Europe/Belgium and your tips helped me to deal with this year fungus problem in my lawn. I could not manage it until you made me aware in one of the previous episodes that dead lawn debris might be a cause. After using a thatch rake, the growth of my lawn greatly accelerated. I see much less color issues. I know I am on a good path to further improve. And this current vid gave already additional ideas...thanks again.

If you have a fescue lawn you don’t need to dethatch however you should aerate every fall for fescue turf and aerate in early spring for Bermuda, zoysia turf. A layer of “ thatch” on a fescue turf is beneficial because it adds a protection layer to help protect your fescue roots in the summer and dry weather.

SUPERB, super- informative video!! I so wish you were here in the UK - to give my lawn a good "talking to" and sorting out - Lol. Teddy UK xx

Very very interesting. Living in Houston with pines that shed 14 months out of the year makes me appreciate this more...😉

Clear presentation, informative and USEFUL information. Well done. Thank you.

You are a true professional. Your explanations, especially definitions of various problems are easy to understand. For a non professional (home owner mowing his/her lawn), a better option is to bag (and compost) the clippings. A mid to late fall season buzz cut can solve the problem of over-wintering dead grass which may interfere with the next season’s growth. I think the "good thatch" becomes bad when there is accumulation of non-decomposing dead organic layer, and this problem only gets worse with habitual mulching. Mulching could be good for Mother Earth (and a necessity for a professional in mow and blow business) it is NOT good for your Lawn. My solution is to ALWAYS bag and compost the clippings, deep,watering with long intervals and fertilizing using only 3/4 the prescribed rate with granules. Our lawn (15000 sq feet, centipede) is over clay and I have neither power raked (very bad for centipede) nor de thatched in 20 years.

1 Should you "Rake" once in one direction, another in the cross direction. 2 Remove all Raked material? Would it make good compost material? 3 How long a wait to cut the grass after the Rake? 4 Any other things to do/not do after Raking? Thx MJ

Thank you sir. I'm having a company come to aerate in early mid-April in Ohio so I plan on renting a dethatcher maybe a week before they come, then I'm going to overseed after they aerate and hit the yard with some 18-24-12. Thank you for the very informative videos. Great content and you make it easy to understand.

Thank you for providing a clear, articulate explanation of the issues and solutions. I feel that you have educated me so that I understand my lawn just a little more...

You are absolutely correct, nice to know someone puts out the correct info!

The one thing I’ve noticed you say that no one else has really mentioned is WHY to water a lot once or twice a week instead of every day or every other day. Thank you for clarifying that.

You are so informative and your video was immensely helpful to me. I appreciate how your deliver FACTS and dispel myths. Thank you!!

Somehow your videos always speak to my current situation with my lawn. I’m having it aerated in the fall and have been wondering if I need to remove all the dead stuff as well, or if that would be overkill. At 12:00 it’s like you were speaking directly to me haha. Thanks for more great content!

Addressed all my questions, glad I found your video...

What a great video. Thanks for takin the time to teach us folks tryin to learn.

You are so well informed thanks for making these videos

Most informative. Helps me out alot. Just called this morning to rent a aerator. Clearly i need to use the bluebird first. Kudos to you!!

Your video really clarified several things for me about these machines as well as thatch versus dead grass. Thanks for making it.

Excellent video!! I checked my lawn and omg there's a lot of dead grass and I was apply a liquid grub control this weekend lol. Power raking will be done before liquid application ;)

I just busted out our old Bluebird Lawn Comber F-20. guessing it is 30 years old. installed new Carb. put the thing to work. Worked Great. this Fall I will plug the yard.

What I do is power rake first with the thicker tines. Then, after clean up, I aerate. Then I power rake again, with the thinner tines, which also breaks up some of the plugs. I follow that with lime, seed, a dawn dish soap dilution, and a thin layer of compost. What I do with the waste is I add it to the compost pile all the way in the back of my yard, and I add red worms to the compost pile every few months. Every two months, I add a quarter inch layer of compost, that I brush in with a push broom head that I attach to my mower deck (it's sort of a diy striping kit, that also evens out the compost), so the beneficial product that's in the thatch layer and the plugs is returned to the soil, with a nitrogen boost from the worm castings. I also use the compost in my garden beds.

your username alone convinced me to Like & Comment..... but your video is actually very good! Great information. Thanks man

How is this channel not more popular! Great content, I'm always looking for tips to improve since i work doing yard work and started about a year ago

Appreciate the clarification, and for the discovery that my mulching mower doesn't mulch well, lol...

Thanks for the lawn care tips. Wondering if you can do something on getting rid of Bermuda grass? Before I burn my entire yard out of frustration!! Lol

Way in depth made me subscribe. Im here in utah just bought my first home with a nice sized yard and I think Im gonna be spending some time fixing it up.

Thanks for that explanation. I have wondered about those two machines for a while!!

Lawn Ginja, you rock! I’ve called a couple of popular lawn care companies in my area about power raking my lawn. They said they don’t do power raking and don’t recommend it because it’s too hard on the grass. But the only solution they had for me was to rough it up with a rake and seed it. I’m fairly confident I need something done because I can’t get to the soil underneath without digging and mining through the top layer. Do I keep looking or settle for some aeration?

This was great and very timely! just moved and the back yard is a mess. I wondered about the difference and need of both machines. Great content and very helpful. thanks!

This video is very satisfying to watch. Great content!

You have a super nice lawn and house. I guess that is to be expected..... right! You are the EXPERT

thank you for videos.you give excellent replies on people's questions.your replies are as good as video.i have to pause video just to read the comments.it is actually annoying,but thank you

Best education this year!

Thanks for providing so many outstanding DIY Videos, big fella!

All my tools are different, Eliet verti- cutter instead of flail, 3/8 in solid tine instead of cutting cores, Grounds-keeper spring tine rake but great results never the less! Doing granular leonardite and granular sea kelp, plus soya meal then "pounding" it in with three full Billy Goat aerator passes with the slim, solid tines and getting nice outcomes. Make those roots go deep for their dinner! As always, a very informative video! Thank you!

In Ca. we have to do as little grass as possible due to watering issues here, if only we would get rain in summer case solved...

really well done. thank you! you should be on TV

Awesome working skills...this is different info compares to what gets repeated over by many "others" in my opinion.. no disrespect no one out there since everyone has different methods

Consider this: De-Thatch (power rake) vs Aeration vs Slice Seeder If you could only choose one? Personally I would choose aeration because it yields more benefits. They all serve a specific purpose and when used in conjunction to yield a thick and lush turf

Exactly what I have been asking myself, thank you !

That was great info. I'm in Las Vegas and my lawn was doing great (tall fescue) until recently. Suddenly there are all kinds of dead spots showing up. The started out as circles (thought it was from the dog), then whole sections started browning. I take a lot of pride in my lawn but I can't figure out what is going on.

Thanks a lot man, just bought a new home and have nasty looking lawn> I will apply definitely everything you said.