Basics of Lawn Thatch Explained By A Local Lawn Treatment Company in Cary, NC
Apex, United States - January 27, 2023 /Lawn Doctor of Cary-Apex/
Lawn Doctor of Cary-Apex offers lawn care services that help createand maintain a beautiful lush, green lawn. These services include dethatching to remove the overabundance of organic matter accumulated between the grass and the soil. Below is an essential guide to proper thatch management to keep the lawn healthy and beautiful.
Thatch is the layer of organic material that collects where the base of the grass’s stem meets the soil. This layer of organic mulch consists of grass clippings, mulched leaves, and living microorganisms that help break down the thatch, turning it into a natural fertilizer. A harmful amount of thatch builds up when natural decomposition is slower than accumulation.
Thatch is not necessarily a hindrance to a healthy lawn. In fact, a small amount of thatch can be good for the yard. Jessica Strickland, a horticultural expert, and North Carolina Cooperative Extension Agent explains, “It is sometimes thought that having a thatch layer in the lawn is a bad thing. A thin thatch layer is actually beneficial for the lawn. A thatch layer up to 1/2-inch thick will help reduce fluctuation in soil moisture and soil temperature along with retaining moisture in the soil.”
The article, entitled “Dealing with Thatch in the Lawn,” highlights the negative impact of a thick layer of thatch on the overall health and performance of the lawn: “The problem that comes with thatch is when the layer is greater than 1/2-inch thick. A thick thatch layer will make it difficult for water, nutrients, and pesticides to reach the soil surface and prevent grass roots from properly absorbing these materials. A thick thatch layer will make watering difficult because the thatch layer dries out quickly and is difficult to rewet. A thick thatch layer can over time cause problems because the grass roots can begin to grow into this layer instead of in the soil. Roots growing in the thatch layer are more susceptible to drought and cold damage because the roots are not as protected as they would be in the soil.”
A modest layer of thatch can provide the following benefits:
Improves moisture retention in the soil
Stabilizes moisture levels by slowing evaporation
Insulates the soil during temperature extremes
An excess of thatch (greater than 1/2 inch) can be harmful to the lawn in the following ways:
It prevents moisture, pesticides, and nutrients from reaching the surface of the soil
It impedes roots from adequately absorbing water, fertilizer, and pesticides
It makes irrigation inefficient because the thatch traps the water, which then quickly evaporates
It causes grass roots growing into the thick thatch layer to suffer from a lack of water or extreme temperatures
If the thatch issue is not resolved, the situation can cause problems. A layer of thatch one inch or more in thickness can become water-logged and suffocate grass roots, creating a moist environment that is a prime breeding ground for lawn diseases and pests. The soil hydrates nourishes and insulates the roots of the grass, so healthy soil is foundational to a beautiful lawn.
An understanding of what causes thatch buildup will improve thatch management. First, certain types of grass contribute to a thatch problem. Quickly spreading grasses such as Bermuda grass, Kentucky bluegrass, and creeping fescues are hearty. Their vigorous growth rates translate into more frequent cuttings, producing more organic matter. These lawns need a course of regular dethatching. Perennial rye and tall fescue, two popular types of clump-forming grasses, are less prone to experience thatch buildup.
Soil compaction and low pH contribute to thatch accumulation. Overfertilization stimulates growth which results in more grass clippings. The heavy use of pesticides reduces or eliminates the good organisms that help break down thatch. Thick thatch thwarts efforts to achieve the perfect lawn.
Measure thatch thickness before dethatching. Use a hand trowel or shovel to remove a small cross-section of the lawn. If the thatch exceeds one inch, schedule dethatching services from Lawn Doctor of Cary-Apex.
Dethatch during the peak growing season to facilitate the lawn’s recovery and prepare it to receive overseeding lawn care treatments.
Dethatch at the appropriate time for the grass type.
Cool-season grasses: Late summer/early fall
Warm-season grasses: Late spring to early summer as peak growth season approaches
Avoid dethatching when the lawn is dormant or under stress. The damage could be catastrophic.
If possible, aerate the lawn before dethatching. Aeration creates pathways for water, air, and nutrients to enter the soil, reduces soil compaction, and accelerates the decomposition of existing thatch.
The best way to dethatch a lawn is to have the professionals at Lawn Doctor of Cary-Apex take care of the job. They have the training, experience, and equipment to ensure the yard receives the care and treatment it needs during and after the dethatching process.
Lawn Doctor of Cary provides a wide variety of lawn treatment and lawn care services, including lawn fertilization, mosquito and tick control, power seeding, lawn aeration, tree, and shrub care, weed control, and fungus control. They also offer a Lawn Maintainer program for year-round care and maintenance. Areas serviced by Lawn Doctor of Cary-Apex include Durham, Chapel Hill, Pittsboro, New Hill, Sanford, Siler City, Cary, and Apex.
To learn more about lawn treatment Cary homeowners and business owners can rely on, call the local lawn care experts at Lawn Doctor of Cary-Apex at (919) 362-1808.
Contact Information:
Lawn Doctor of Cary-Apex
3040 Sainsbury Way
Apex, NC 27502
United States
Lawn Doctor of Cary-Apex *
https://www.lawndoctor.com/cary-apex-nc