A spring in your step may not be a good thing if your lawn feels “springy” when you walk on it.  Thatch is the layer of living and dead plant material that accumulates between living grass (your lawn) and the underlying soil. It’s  desirable to have some thatch, but if there’s more than an inch of thatch in your lawn, it’s time to dethatch your lawn.  Here’s more on the benefits and drawbacks of thatch and managing  it with maintaining proper soil balance and lawn care:

  • Protecting high traffic areas: Thatch provides cushioning for your lawn against heavy foot traffic.
  • Retaining moisture-the good and bad: This can be helpful during hot summer months or in arid climates where it’s difficult to keep your lawn hydrated, but thatch build-up causes problems if residual moisture creates a damp environment that  weakens your lawn while breeding  fungi and other lawn diseases.
  • Maintaining natural balance:A well balanced lawn is helpful for keeping thatch under control. Earthworms and microorganisms present in soild can assist in keeping thatch under control; avoid overuse of pesticides and fertilizer. using high nitrogen fertilizers not only helps your grass grow lush and green, it also produces more nutrients for fungi and lawn disease. Amending your lawn with phosporous, potassium can help reduce the effects of too much nitrogen.
  • Promoting proper soil pH and acidity: Balancing soil pH at about 6.5 and avoiding excess acidity can assist in preventing excess thatch.
  • Get a soil test: Your local university extension service may provide low cost soil testing. A soil test can provide a plan of action for re-balancing your lawn and discouraging excess thatch.

Checking your  Thatch Layer

photo credit: www.ppdl.purdue.edu

photo credit: www.ppdl.purdue.edu

Cut a sample of turfgrass and soil about three inches deep. When viewed from the side, the sample should show three distinct layers: grass, thatch, and soil. If the thatch layer is more than an inch thick, it’s time to dethatch. You can hire someone to dethactch, or rent or buy dethatching equipment and do it yourself.