Grass
thatch can be a good for your yard, as long as the grass thatch is not
excessive. Excessive grass thatch can cause problems for your yard, and should
be periodically removed by a process called de-thatching.
Understanding grass thatch, and what it consists of is fairly simple. Grass
thatch is a layer of dead and living weeds and grasses, including stolon, roots,
and rhizome, that grow between your healthy grass and the soil in your yard. It
is normal to have grass thatch, and most healthy lawns will have at least a thin
layer.
A thin
layer of grass thatch in your yard is not only common, but it can have its
benefits, as well. A layer of grass thatch that is less than 1/2 inch in depth
can aid in:
limiting weed growth
protecting grass from early frost damage
reducing water evaporation
When
grass thatch becomes deeper than 1/2 inch, it can have the opposite effects.
Some of the effects of excess grass thatch include the prevention of the proper
flow of water, air, and nutrients to your lawn's root system and can also
promote the growth of yard fungus.
Grass
thatch should be removed using a process called de-thatching (De-thatching is
commonly done best by a mechanical machine) once it becomes deeper than 1/2 of
an inch.
To reduce
the amount of grass thatch build up in your yard you can be sure to:
rake all fallen leaves in the fall
rake all excess grass clippings after mowing
avoid over watering your lawn
avoid over fertilization of your yard
The best
time to have your lawn de-thatched is while the grass is still living and
growing, to enable the grass to recover fast from the strenuous de-thatching
process it endures. If de-thatching in the spring, it is best to do it in the
late spring months, to give the grass time to begin to grow regularly. If
de-thatching later in the year, late fall is best, after aeration.
How often
you will need to have your lawn de-thatched depends mostly on what type of grass
you have in your yard. Some type of turf grass produce less lawn thatch, while
other types of turf grass produce more.
Feel free to email me with your questions or comments.
