What is Thatch:

Thatch is the layer of living and dead organic material between grass blades and the soil.

Thick thatch around  ½ inch can:

• • Can prevent water for absorbing in soil causing a wet environment for disease such as winter mold

• • Hinders new seed germination, doesn’t allow seed to soil contact

• • Harbors insects

• • Blocks fertilizer, and air from being absorbed by grass roots

• • Increased lawn mowing scalp damage since the wheels sink into the thatch surface, and grass crowns are higher than normal

Benefits of healthy thatch layer under ½ inch:

• • Insulates soil and grass roots from cold and heat.

• • Maintains soil moisture

• • Reduces weed germination

• • Creates a resilient, soft walking surface

• • Prevents soil erosion caused by heavy rainfall

• • Thatch also contains decaying organic materials feeding the soil and grass.  

Process of dethatching

Dethatching can be done in a few ways using a variety of equipment:

Raking with a steel spring type rake – gentle on the living grass but strong enough to remove thatch.

Power rake or broom – Removes thatch and other debris using bristles or blades. Often it is hard on a lawn and will rip up turf quickly of conditions are damp. This aggressive method also removes large amounts of thatch; some thatch is good for the soil.

Tine rake – tines often attached to a lawnmower and bagging system to loosen, thatch material, combing the grass proving a fresh raked appearance, while removing excessive amounts of thatch within a lawn as well as any leaves that have been matted down over the winter. – this is our preferred method.