The Dethatch

Dilemma: When

Enough is Enough

in Lawn Care Greenside Landscaping

10291 s. 1300 e. #201

Sandy, UT 84094

(801) 501-9666

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Florists and landscaping experts do not consider dethatching as a light chore. Most

homeowners use elbow grease and special equipment rental to dethatch their lawns,

but professionals insist these do not make the cut. The payback, they say, will be

enormous in improving lawn health.

Small lawns benefit largely from thatch rakes, while larger yards require power rakes

to remove unwanted thatches. A certain amount of thatch is also necessary for lawn

care and maintenance.

Understanding Thatching

Thatches are a natural part of lawn growth. The grass plants have above ground

counterparts, which are visible, and a root system underground. In between, there

are pieces of dead grass and other natural debris. The combination forms thatch,

which results in a protective layer above the soil. In most cases, it keeps the grass

stronger by sealing in moisture, but too much may compromise the lawn.

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The Dethatch Dilemma

The acceptable amount of thatch on any lawn is usually ¼ to ½ inch. Anything

thicker will hamper grass growth, which prevents water, air, and nutrients from

entering the roots. The toxic environment also encourages diseases and pests to

flourish. Homeowners must regularly check the thickness of their lawn’s thatch by

digging out plugs to examine the layers.

Saving the Lawn

Dethatching requires a special rake or specialized equipment (for larger lawns).

Most US homeowners choose to dethatch late in the spring, giving the lawn more

time to grow and recover. Spring temperatures are also moderate, which

encourages faster recovery.

Thatch buildup depends on the season. Certain grasses (e.g. Bermuda and Buffalo

varieties) grow faster during the warmer season, which results in more thatch. It is

also better to dethatch before it gets too thick. Dethatching annually minimizes the

trauma of thatches.

RESOURCES:

https://getgreenside.com/

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/TOOLS/TURF/MAINTAIN/thatch.html

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-dethatch-your-lawn.html