The two are not the same. De-thatchers tear up the grass opening up the surface and removing thatch build up in warm season grasses. Aerators remove a plug of earth about 2 inch's deep. These are specialized machines and modifying something is not pratical. Just rent one if and when needed. Unless your earth tends to become badly compacted by heavy traffic you probably don't need it. De-thatching can be done by hand with a hard steel rake, a lot of work. Or you can buy a special blade for your mower. These have no air movement lift or cutting edge but have a stiff spring on each end the digs into the grass. They do a good job and for the 10-15 bucks for the blade its the easiest and cheapest way to go. Thatching blades are a bit tough on the mower but for a once a year deal I wouldn't sweat it. Just don't let the neighbors borrow the set up as you don't want to add to your mowers wear by letting the whole block use it. Cut the grass down as low as you can first to minimize the effort needed by the thatching blade. When you get done you're gonna have a huge mess to clean up. Have plenty of trash bags ready. After the growing season, sometime in the fall is the best time to do it. You're in the middle of your summer now, not a good time. You can burn the roots by de-thatching while in the summer months.

the op's orig question is "My tomato plants are starting to go one by one. Has anyone tried composting them? Are they good for the compost bin? " seems like a yes or no answer will do right? my executive summary there is this huge discussion about soil inoculation, disease supression and calls for documented scientific experiments. with links to here & there "A number of people that I correspond with in Ireland, France, New Zeland, Australia, Spain, Germany, all have solved plant disease problems in their soils by composting the diseased plants and putting that compost back into their soils." so one response is "As to the poster's original question I honestly don't know the proper answer." then in the same post goes on to say "I'm going to err on the side of not composting my tomato plants in a compost pile specifically intended for spreading in the veggie garden." in the very next sentence "I would not be surprised though if the composting process whether it be hot or cold does some how take care of diseases regardless." but you will not compost them? hmmm why not? is this lawyerese at its finest? or a run for politcal office? prob doesnt even realize just how contradicting these two statements really are so the people trying to help go away with hurt feelings but live ______ every after

Well, thanks, Elliot! I think Spring has been discontinued here around W. PA.! Did you see my answer to your earlier post, up above? I should have put it down here, but old age----! My pickup gets 35 mpg, so it does well in that section. I bought it as a wrecked vehicle, fixed it up, and it is my daily driver. I had worked as an auto body repairman/ painter, as my main occupation. Then there was the auto and lawn mower fixin, so that bcame my job when i retired. I joined the local Volunteer Fire Co. back in 1960. did it all-held several positions. Still a member! I got interested in Country and Bluegrass music, and learned the 5-string banjo, and am still playing it. In the summer, we have several Bluegrass weekends, at various locations. Some pay, some free, and Sundays, twice a month, there is an indoor music gig we attend. Also, an every Tuesday Bluegrass session at a Bar, in Blawnox, PA. near Pittsburgh. Good that somebody checks in here. I always liked to contact the members. I wonder if Jen is still around? Haven't seen anything from her in a while. Wasn't it Jen who was chasing the Jersey Devil?

Stump grinder..I need that! This house came with 12 stumps...most are cut nearly to the ground though..but some are nearly 3' across.. That morning tree/sun shot is stunning beauty! Christine, I only used the fine steel wool after it had "dried" out a bit..I don't have any high 100's sand paper at the moment. It was pretty crazy to watch the CS work..as I was slathering it on, it was moving the spray paint around in flecks instantly. Yes, it was a good thing it doesn't stain I forgot what I was wearing and went out to slam some more on one evening and sloshed all over a pair of new black yoga pants...but all is good.. :) I think next week I will take a door off the cabinet run I want pulled down..and give 'er a whirl with the CS. Can't be worse than the crap layers of soft chunky white paint. We are going to attempt to figure put how to open the gutters and flush them out..they have a knock off Leaf Guard on them..and I am quite sure full of Fir needles..as there is a weed growing out of one of them..lol Hmmmm something has agitated the neighborhood crows..they are fussin like nobodies business. It was peaceful on the deck...