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| Dethatching
Dethatching involves the removal of the matted layer of dead and decaying plant material between growing grass and the soil.
Dethatching Tips:
1. If your lawn is off-color and thinning, and you can't see bare ground between the plants but instead see matted, fibrous material, it's time to dethatch.
2. If your lawn is thick, rich and deep green, and you can't see bare ground between the plants but instead see matted, fibrous material, it's time to dethatch.
3. Avoid over-fertilizing and over-watering, as these may contribute to thatch build-up.
4. Products containing natural enzymes and micronutrients can be added to the soil to aid in the natural breakdown of thatch materials.
Can thatch be bad for a lawn?
Yes. Too much thatch is not good. If left untreated, thatch can develop into a nearly impenetrable disease-harboring mat between grass and the soil. Thatch sounds scarier than it is, for it can be removed quickly and easily using a power rake. Once the initial thatch layer is removed, future problems can be avoided by following proper cutting, fertilizing and watering procedures.
A power rake has flail tines that spin around on a drum, which essentially "rakes" up the dead thatch without harming the existing grass. You may choose to use a power rake with a bagger which bags the clippings as you go (lawn must be dry). Alternatively, you may use a power rake with no bagger which leaves the dead thatch on top of the grass. You must then use either a hand rake to remove the dead material or a lawn vacuum.
Will mulching or leaving grass clippings contribute to thatch build-up?
Yes and No. If you cut your lawn no more than 1/3 of the grass blade at a time, you're cutting off only the leafy part of the plant (versus the stem); the leafy part is composed of 85-90% water which means that clippings will easily and rapidly decompose.
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