Keep your grass lushtips on dealing with thatch (its inevitable) and how to minimize it.
Dethatching lawns is the solution when it builds up more than 12 inch thick.
Thatch also reduces water loss through evaporation.
Credit: Scott Little
Think of it as a layer of plastic wrap on top of the soil.
What causes thatch?
There are numerous causes for excessively thick thatch.
Credit: Doug Hetherington
Check with your local cooperative extension service to better understand the grass species that work in your area.
Cool-season grasses are referred to as northern grass and adapt well to cold climates.
Checking for Thatch
There are multiple ways to determine if your lawn has a thatch problem.
Credit: Jacob Fox
The easiest is to check to see if your lawn is green on top but brown below.
The best time to check isafter you mowwhen you’ve just cut off the top green growth.
If you have thatch, thelawn will look brownor dead.
To test for thatch, walk across your lawn.
If it feels spongy, it may be due to thatch.
If you’re still unsure, use a spade or knife to cut several small plugs from the lawn.
Measure the thatch, which appears as a layer of spongy brown material between the grass and the soil.
Dethatching lawns is in order if the thatch is more than 12 inch deep.
When is the best time for dethatching lawns?
Dethatching lawns should only be done when conditions are best to promote rapid recovery of your grass key in.
Dethatch warm-season lawns in late spring or early summer after they are completely green and growing rapidly.
How do I dethatch my lawn?
There are several ways of dethatching lawns.
For lawns with moderate levels of thatch, aerating may do the trick.
Those knifelike bladescut through the sodand pull out the thatch.
Resembling a heavy-duty power mower but with a series of spinning vertical knives, it cuts through the thatch.
Discarding Thatch
Dethatching often creates a large volume of debris that must be removed.
If the debris is weed-free and you have not used herbicides or pesticides on your lawn,compost it.
you’re able to also check to see if your city has a composting program for yard waste.
How do I reduce future thatch accumulation?
Thatch is inevitable, but appropriate lawn care practices will reduce the severity in the future.
How do I aerate my lawn?
The roots of all plants need air as much as water, which is whyaerating your lawnis so important.
Aeration enables the roots to grow deeply, producing a more vigorous lawn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mow the lawn a little shorter than usual and water it lightly before dethatching.
For the best results, dethatch when the soil is slightly moist, not dry.
Dont attempt to dethatch wet soil though; youll end up creating unwanted bare spots.
A thatch layer prevents new seed from reaching the ground.
Dethatch right before you overseed to give seed the best chance to penetrate and grow.
