Did your lawn seem unhealthy this past year, even though you took great care to feed, water and tend to it? You may need to dethatch. Thatch is matted, fibrous material between the soil and surface of the turf. Typically, it is caused by the accumulation of decomposing grass clippings and debris tangled with grass stems and roots. And that thick mat can prevent grassroots from absorbing essential nutrients!
How do you know if your yard needs dethatching? First, examine your turf where the roots meet the soil. It’s ok to have a small brown layer (a little thatch is normal), but if that layer is more than an inch thick, it needs to be broken up. The process of dethatching is a little messy but worth it! You are basically bringing the thatch to the surface.
For a residential lawn, we recommend using a dethatching mower attachment that you can get at your favorite home improvement store. After the thatch is exposed, rake or mow it up, water, and fertilize for maximum absorption. It’s also the perfect time to add amendments, such as sulfur, gypsum or nitrogen. As a result, your grass should quickly recover and be much healthier in the future!
Visit the Learning Center on our website, dlcresources.com/learning-center for additional information about turf transition.