Thatch
See also: Lawn Care Advice
Quick links
- Moss advice
- Weeds advice
- Scarification
- Drought
- Mowing
- Thatch
- Hollow Tine Aeration
- Pest & disease control
What is it?
Thatch is a layer of fibrous organic material which develops between the green leaves of the grass and the soil surface. A small amount of thatch can be useful to a lawn as it helps to preserve moisture and provide a nice soft feel. Thatch is made up of dead, dying and decaying material from the grass as well as outside sources such as moss and leaves. In a healthy growing environment this thatch layer should remain constant, however through neglect the layer may become dense and thick and thus cause some severe problems such as:
- Reduced drainage
- Prevention of moisture and nutrients to the soil and roots
- Thatch provides an ideal breeding ground for unfriendly bacteria and fungi that are likely to cause disease
- Increased incidence of Moss and weeds
- Increased incidence of mower scalp
- Poor rooting turf more susceptible to drought
Why have I got Thatch in my Lawn?
Thatch is generally broken down and controlled in a healthy growing environment by bacteria and fungi which feed on the fibre and convert it back into nutrients which are returned to the lawn. Anything that reduces the activity of these bacteria and fungi is likely to increase the level of thatch in the lawn. Thatch is usually accumulated in the lawn due to a number of factors:
- Incorrect or over use of fertilisers
- Over watering or too frequent watering
- Poor soil conditions or compaction
- Infrequent aeration
- Infrequent scarification
What can be done to reduce Thatch?
As with most problems, identification of the reason should enable you to prescribe the right cure. In moist cases excessive thatch can be cured by either scarification and / or Hollow tine Aeration. It is worth noting though that if the thatch problem has developed over many years then it is unlikely that a cure can be rapid and a program of treatments will likely be necessary to return the lawn back to a healthy state. Scarification will remove much, although not all, of the thatch and allow the grass to regenerate. Hollow tine aeration will open up channels to allow air and moisture through the thatch and allow the bacteria and fungi that break thatch down to develop.
For more information about dealing with thatch and its causes, please contact Greensleeves Lawn Care.
See also: Lawn Care Advice