March 4, 2014 | Posted in Lawn Tips, Uncategorized | By Ryan White
Thatch
Thatch is the layer of partially and non-decomposed plant material between the soil surface and green grass. Thatch of 1” or more is likely to harbor DISEASE & INSECTS which increases the chance of damage.Excessive thatch can prevent water adsorption into the soil, causing drought stress in the lawn. Here are a few helpful tips regarding thatch;
- Do not allow the lawn to grow too tall before mowing. Cutting off more than 1/3 of the length of the blades during mowing will leave too much decaying material and add to the thatch layer
- Core Aeration is highly recommended for a lawn with excessive thatch. The aeration process enables air and water to reach the grass roots, and increases decomposition of the thatch layer
- Apply Moisture Manager to the lawn. The surfactants in the moisture manager will help water move through the thatch layer quicker and easier.