How Much is the Right Amount of Thatch in the Back Yard?
Have you ever wondered why there are so many lawn thatch removal tools available if thatch is supposed to be good for a lawn? Lawn thatch, like almost everything else, is beneficial only in moderation.
Lawn thatch is the buildup of dead roots, stems and lawn cuttings. The debris decomposes and the nutrients return to the soil, nourishing the grass as an organic fertilizer. If the thatch gets too thick, however, it can prevent moisture from penetrating down into the soil to the roots that need it. A heavy thatch buildup is also an inviting place for diseases and insect pests to multiply.
One of the main causes of excessive thatch buildup is letting the grass grow too high between mowing. If the grass cannot be cut at regular intervals, the clippings should be gathered and removed from the lawn.
A healthy level of thatch in the lawn can usually be achieved when maintenance includes the use of a power rake once a year. After that, cutting the grass on a regular schedule and letting the clippings remain on the lawn will keep a healthy layer of thatch that will continuously decompose and act as a natural fertilizer.
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