Thatch in your lawn- what it is and how to control it.

Thatch is not leaves, but a layer of dead and decaying tissue found between the soil and the green blades.  It is a problem when it becomes thicker than 1/2” because it increases the probability of disease and pest problems. As the thatch layer thickens, the grass roots and rhizomes grow here instead of in the deeper soil region. This makes the grass more susceptible to drought and injury stress. It is best removed in the spring or fall while the grass is actively growing, and when weather is forecasted to have favourable conditions (not too hot or dry). It takes about 30 days for the turf to recover.

Prior to thatch removal, mow the grass closely and remove clippings and debris.  Thatch can be removed by hand or power raking.
            


You can manage it by:

• regular mowing. The clippings can then be left on the lawn if they are not too long

• deep but infrequent watering. This lets the oxygen down into the soil and encourages deeper roots

• using pesticides only as needed as they kill the microbes that break down the thatch

• avoiding excess fertilization as there is then more growth than can be controlled.

 Some cultivars of grass are prone to producing thatch faster than others. Having a balanced blend of grasses, suitable to the area, will help reduce the accumulation of thatch.


Photo of hand raking by:amazon.com
Photo of power raking by:www.safelawns.org