Dethatching

To begin the discussion on dethatching we must first look at what thatch is. Thatch is a tightly intermingled layer of living and dead stems, leaves, and roots which accumulates between the layer of actively growing grass and the soil underneath. Now that we know what thatch is, we can talk about dethatching. Which is removing the layers of living and dead grass stems, roots, blades, and crowns that develop between the green vegetation and the soil surface. Dethatching is done with the goal of allowing air, water, nutrients, and fertilizer to reach the soil freely to help the grass grow better. Some other reasons why dethatching is a good idea is to help with drainage, soil compaction, and prevent pests and diseases. At the same time not all thatch is bad, experts say that up to ½ inch of thatch is healthy for most lawns and actually helps protect it better. But if the thatch is too thick it will have adverse effects on the grass.

One good reason to dethatch your lawn is to help it drain more effectively. Now, not everyone has drainage issues on their property but in certain areas there are a lot of people who do. Dethatching gives the water a place to go by allowing it to access the soil easier which means it should be absorbed into the ground quicker and not sit on the surface. Dethatching not only allows it to absorb better but can also give the water a route to flow so it’s not stagnant. By not letting the water sit on the lawn it is helping limit pest and disease issues. More specifically fungus issues with the excess moisture.  

The next reason why dethatching is good is because it removes the breeding ground for lawn disease and pests. When thatch is to thick it can attract a lot of bugs and moisture that can cause it to stress which will have your lawn looking less desirable. There are pests that feed on this organic material and the more of it for them to eat the more likely of an infestation. Also, by removing this barrier to the soil and allowing the water to run off it helps eliminate the excess moisture sitting on the surface or in the thatch which will help reduce fungus growth. Additionally, by removing this thick layer of thatch you are helping your lawn breath, absorb better, and not provide a place for pests and diseases; thus, making your lawn stronger and able to fight off attacks or stress. 

Another good reason for dethatching is to help reverse the effects of soil compaction by loosening up the top layer of soil. When soil compaction happens it severely effects how well the grass grows in that area because it almost chokes the roots and doesn’t give them anywhere to grow. As we discussed earlier this also allows materials to get absorbed more easily and water to flow more freely which helps prevent soil compaction as well. Soil compaction is a common issue for lawns, and you may not even realize it. The more traffic on your lawn the more compact the soil most likely is. Dethatching, aerating, and tilling are the only ways to deal with soil compaction. 

In conclusion, dethatching is an important part of lawn care if you want a vibrant green healthy-looking lawn. Dethatching helps with drainage, soil compaction, reducing food and breeding places for pests and disease. It also removes the barrier of decaying plant material so air, water, nutrients, and fertilizer can reach the soil easier. These reasons are why dethatching should be done almost once a year, if not every other year. However, as mentioned above all thatch is not bad, ½ inch or less is a good amount to help protect your lawn but more than that could be negatively affecting your lawn. This is why Big Red’s will always check your thatch level during the spring clean-up and go from there. If it needs to be done, we do it along with our spring clean-up.