Is Your Lawn Thatch Out of Control?
One of the most misunderstood elements in your lawn is the thatch layer. Customer hear the word and immediately think of ways their Dayton lawn service provider should eliminate it. But thatch is good for your lawn when kept at proper levels.
Here are the uses for Lawn Thatch:
The thatch layer is the grouping of dead grass, leaves and other organic matter that sits just above the soil line amongst the grass plant’s crowns. (crowns are the base of the grass plant where the blades grow from) A good thatch layer will be between 1 and 1.25 inches thick on average and appear “loose and airy” and not matted or compressed.
In good conditions, the thatch layer serves several purposes that contribute to healthy turf.
- Shades the root system: if you have no thatch at all, the the summer sun will beat down directly on the turf crowns and dry them out, as well as heat up the grass’ root system and possible burn it. A proper thatch layer creates shade for these delicate parts of the turf.
- Aids in moisture retention: a good layer of thatch keeps moisture from evaporating so quickly so the soil can retain moisture in between waterings.
- Reduces soil erosion: Once again, it you have no thatch at all, during heavy rains, the soil can literally wash away from around turf roots and expose them. A solid thatch layer disperses heavy flow, keeping soil levels intact.
- Promotes microbial activity: lots of microbes and bacteria reside in the decayed thatch layer and these microbes are a part of the overall “soil food web” that is the foundation of healthy turf.
How to control thatch layer if too thick.
If your lawn feels extremely spongy when walking on it, you could have a thatch problem. Lawns that 
have been sodded many times will experience an over-abundant thatch layer during the first 4 or 5 years after installation. An out of control thatch layer will thin out the lawn and cause shallow rooting; here’s why:
Thatch layers over 1″ thick and matted will stop water and nutrients from getting down below the soil line. In addition to this, grass plants will have to compete for space and turf roots will grow shallow in order to obtain moisture. Shallow-rooted turf grass will eventually die, thus creating an even worse thatch problem. Eventually, if left unchecked, the lawn will turn to hay.
The best way to manage thatch layers in any lawn is the aerate yearly. Aeration is a process whereby cores of soil are removed and holes are punched in the thatch layer, thinning it out. The cores are deposited back onto the lawn to release soil bacteria that naturally feed on thatch as well. (BTW–those foolish aeration shoes they sell with spikes on them are worthless and will destroy your back! A true aeration will actually remove cores of soil that are about the size of dime rolls.)
If you have an extreme thatch problem of 2″ or more, you should aerate your lawn with a double pass in the Spring, and again in the Fall. Your local Dayton Lawn Care pro can do this for you.
Whatever you do, never power rake your lawn as this will remove 100% of the thatch and also rip out much of your good grass in the process. In my opinion, any landscape professional who offers power raking is not doing what’s best for his customers.
If you feel your thatch layer is so bad that even double aerations will not control it, then lightly rake with a metal rake prior to aerating in the spring to help loosen the matted thatch, then mow with your bagger to suck up the loosened materials.
Remember, no matter what your thatch layer thickness, you should aerate your lawn in the Spring as part of your overall organic lawn maintenance practices. It’s also a good idea to lay down a nice starter fertilizer after the aeration so the nutrients can get directly into the turf’s root system! Best of luck!
Another Lawn Tip brought to you by Dayton Area Lawn Care Guide, tell a friend!