Tiller vs Dethatcher: How Do They Compare?

When it comes to lawn care there are any number of issues that need to be addressed in a timely fashion in order to prevent things from going sideways. Keeping a handle on thatch is one of those issues. Knowing when to admit defeat and start over again by tilling is another.

In this article I’m going to look at the tiller vs dethatcher question, explain the difference between the two pieces of equipment, discuss when each should be used and address their pros and cons.

Tiller vs Dethatcher: What’s the Difference?

Let’s start this discussion by looking at the difference between a tiller and a dethatcher.

What is a Tiller?

A tiller is a device that is used to turn the top layer of soil under in preparation of seeding or sodding. Tilling is performed when a patch of lawn (or in some cases an entire lawn) is beyond salvaging and it is necessary to start over. You should never break out the tiller unless you are sure there is no other way to restore the troublesome section of lawn.

Think of tilling as a less invasive form of plowing. Whereas a plow digs deep into the ground the tiller only slices a few inches into the surface, disrupting the outer layer and bringing the supporting layer of soil to the top. The grass, weeds and other organic material on the surface will break down once turned under and the nutrients will be used to nourish the new seeds or sod. The tilled soil may still contain some visible grass but it will be disrupted and mixed with upturned soil.

What is a Dethatcher?

Thatch is composed of grass cuttings, old leaves, grass roots, twigs, stems, dead weeds and other material that’s blown in on the wind and settles on your lawn. If you do not clear this layer of accumulated detritus from your lawn periodically it will prevent water, nutrients and air from reaching the soil and starve the lawn of those things it needs most.

The dethatcher reaches down into the lawn and pulls up the thatch so that it can be collected and removed. If done right, dethatching also disturbs the soil just a bit so that it can better absorb water and fertilizer. A heavily thatched lawn also takes on a spongy quality that dethatching will eliminate.

When is the Best Time to Use a Tiller?

Breaking out the tiller is only done when there is no lower-impact way to save a patch of lawn. The area to be tilled will be turned under so that you can start again by reseeding or resodding. But you should not engage in tilling at any old time. If you intend to reseed an area the best time to till would be in August when the ground is warm and weed action has subsided.

On the other hand, if you plan to resod you should wait until early autumn when the weather is a bit cooler and damper. Also, make sure the ground is moist (not muddy) before tilling, otherwise you’ll be creating a dusty mess. A bit of water will also help break down the turned-under materials.

When is the Best Time for Dethatching?

Dethatching the lawn is a vital component of lawn care, but there is a time to dethatch and a time when you should refrain from dethatching. The best time to dethatch is mid-spring, after the lawn has dried out a bit and before the scorching hot weather sets in. This will enable the lawn to recover from the trauma of dethatching before it’s subjected to the hot, dry summer.

Alternately, you may want to wait until late August or early September in order to remove clippings, leaves and other detritus that has built up during the summer. But remember, dethatching is pretty traumatic for the lawn and leaves it in a vulnerable state for a couple of weeks afterward. So don’t dethatch too late in the fall as this could leave freshly cut grass susceptible to frost damage.

Tilling vs Dethatching: Pros and Cons

If you do a good job dethatching the lawn you give it an excellent chance of thriving and may never need to break out the tiller. Something to keep in mind.

That said, here are the relative pros and cons of the tiller and dethatcher.

Tilling Pros

• Tilling can enable you to restore a damaged section of lawn.
• Tilling allows you to lay the groundwork for sodding.
• Tilling revitalizes the soil that is tilled.

Tilling Cons

• There is no turning back from tilling.
• Renting a tiller can be relatively expensive.

Dethatching Pros

• Dethatching helps your lawn stay healthy and vibrant.
• Dethatching allows the soil to breathe.
• Dethatching makes the lawn feel better under foot.

Dethatching Cons

• Dethatching must be done at the right time of year.
• Dethatching won’t remove most runners.

Which is Better, the Tiller or Dethatcher?

Tilling and dethatching are two different processes, so comparing them is like comparing apples and oranges. One is not objectively better than the other. As I mentioned earlier, however, if you keep up with your dethatching it will make maintaining a uniformly healthy lawn that much easier and thereby reduce the odds that you will ever have to break out the tiller.

Think of dethatching as basic preventive maintenance, like changing the oil in your car. If you change the oil in your car regularly you reduce the odds of having serious problems down the line.

Conclusion

When it comes to lawn care both the dethatcher and tiller play important roles. The dethatcher enables you to eliminate thatch that can undermine the health of your lawn. While the tiller is there for you should you need to start over on a section of lawn.

Keep in mind that the tiller is, in many ways, a tool of last resort, and that if you employ the dethatcher in a timely fashion you may never need to break out the tiller.