Is Greenworks' Lawn Dethatcher Worth Buying If You're On A Budget?

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You should only need to remove thatch from your lawn every few years, but having the right tool can make all the difference. The Greenworks dethatcher costs $245 on Amazon, and although it has nearly 250 five-star ratings, we wondered if it's really worth the money. Weighing in under 30 pounds, the battery-operated tool has a 15-inch dethatching path and five adjustable depth positions. Started with a simple push button, foldable, and equipped with a 12-gallon collecting bag, the product seems like it could really get the job done at first glance. But, according to Bryan Clayton, CEO of GreenPal, Greenworks' lawn dethatcher probably isn't worth buying if you're on a budget because it's easily bogged down, takes up precious space in your storage shed, and is inferior to core plug aeration, another process that can get your grass looking great.

"Honestly? I've used similar electric dethatchers, and they're basically toys," Clayton told House Digest during his exclusive interview. "In my opinion, it's a headache waiting to happen." Although he acknowledged that the Greenworks dethatcher is lightweight, quiet to operate, and easy to store, the lawn care expert said the tool simply doesn't have enough power to remove thick thatch buildup, which means it's likely to get bogged down in thicker grass. He added that it probably isn't worth taking up space with a product you'll only use once or twice a year. "After a few years you'll have to repair or replace it."

"I've been in the lawn care and landscaping business over 25 years, and I've seen just about every trick and tool when it comes to dethatching," Bryan Clayton told House Digest during his exclusive interview. "For that money, you're better off renting a gas-powered unit that gets the job done right." According to Clayton, you can rent a power dethatcher from a home improvement store or local tool rental company for around $150 a day. That's the approach he recommends to homeowners who want to dethatch a lawn on their own. The lawn care expert said that hiring a pro can cost "anywhere from $400 to $1,000, depending on your yard size. A standard 15,000-square-foot lot will land right in that ballpark."

If neither buying or renting a dethatcher is possible for you, Clayton said most people probably already have a tool that will work. "If you're on a tight budget, the cheapest route is using a hard tine rake," he explained. Even if you need to purchase the tool, one like the Walensee heavy duty garden rake is capable of covering a little more ground, at a deeper depth, yet costs a fraction of the price of a Greenworks dethatcher. However, the lawn care expert cautioned that even if you do invest $20 or so in a new rake instead, you're looking at "backbreaking work" that's only realistic for small yards. You'll want a power tool or a professional for larger properties.

Using the wrong tool is among the lawn dethatching mistakes you should avoid. If you do decide to buy the Greenworks dethatcher, Bryan Clayton offered some important tips to keep in mind. "Use it on a dry day and mow the lawn short first," he said during his exclusive interview with House Digest. "That helps the tines get deeper into the thatch layer." He added that you should go slowly, making multiple passes in a crisscross pattern. "Just know it's going to take longer and leave you with a ton of debris to clean up."

Clayton said that if you want your lawn to look like a golf course, dethatching may work for you, but he typically recommends core plug aeration instead. This is a more complex technique that involves removing small plugs of soil from the ground to support good root growth, water retention, and airflow in your yard. "Aeration breaks up the thatch naturally and preps your yard for seeding, all without the massive cleanup," he explained. The lawn care expert suggested that no matter what tool you use, you should immediately overseed it when you're done. It's also important to know when it's time to dethatch your lawn. "Aim to do it in September so the seed has time to germinate before cold weather kicks in," Clayton advised. "Don't go much later than the first week of November."