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Lawn Thatch
Thatch is a normal part of every lawn and some thatch is beneficial.
Thatch results from the collection of organic matter in the lawn and largely consists of dead and living shoots, stems, and roots. It collects between the green vegetation and the soil surface and forms a mat.
Thatch builds up when organic debris collects faster than it can be broken down, and consists largely of the sturdier stems and roots that are more resistant to decay. Grass clippings, when properly mulched by your mower, usually do not contribute to thatch as they decay very quickly. The clay soil prevalent in many areas of the Annapolis Valley promotes soil compaction and thatch.
Ideally, lawn thatch should be kept under 1/2 inch (1.3cm). Thatch is considered excessive when it is between 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch thick. Thatch that becomes very thick can actually kill your lawn.
Note: thatch of about 1/2 inch is useful for sport fields or children play areas as it offers a cushion and helps prevent injuries from falls.
Pros of thatch:
Cons of thatch:
If lawn thatch is very thick, it is advisable to do a core aeration before dethatching.
As the benefits of dethatching are significant, we encourage all lawn owners to have their lawns dethatched annually; either by using a service provider or renting a dethatcher and doing it themselves.
We would be pleased to provide you with a quote to dethatch your lawn.
To provide you with pricing, we will need to make a site visit.
Thatch results from the collection of organic matter in the lawn and largely consists of dead and living shoots, stems, and roots. It collects between the green vegetation and the soil surface and forms a mat.
Thatch builds up when organic debris collects faster than it can be broken down, and consists largely of the sturdier stems and roots that are more resistant to decay. Grass clippings, when properly mulched by your mower, usually do not contribute to thatch as they decay very quickly. The clay soil prevalent in many areas of the Annapolis Valley promotes soil compaction and thatch.
Ideally, lawn thatch should be kept under 1/2 inch (1.3cm). Thatch is considered excessive when it is between 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch thick. Thatch that becomes very thick can actually kill your lawn.
Note: thatch of about 1/2 inch is useful for sport fields or children play areas as it offers a cushion and helps prevent injuries from falls.
Pros of thatch:
- thatch under 1/2 inch helps regulate soil temperature and helps to hold moisture
- cushions falls and helps prevent injuries on playing fields
Cons of thatch:
- thatch creates a physical barrier that prevents moisture and nutrients from reaching the soil surface
- thick thatch holds too much moisture in rainy weather reducing oxygen available to grass roots and this excess moisture can also promote various lawn fungal and bacterial diseases
- thatch promotes excessive root development
- thick thatch tends to heat up very quickly and can dry out quickly leaving grass roots susceptible to desiccation (extreme dryness) especially when they are overcrowded
- thick thatch can lead to scalping of the lawn during mowing as mower wheels sink into the thatch and cut the blades too short. Lawn scalping can lead to significant lawn damage.
- thatch interferes with fertilizers and lime reaching the soil and root zone in a timely manner when they get trapped in the thatch
- thatch reduces the impact / effectiveness of weed and insect control sprays; they get absorbed by and bound by the thatch layer impeding sprays from reaching the soil surface
- Thatch provides ideal habitat for insects. It hold heat and provides them cover from insect control sprays and predators
- Chinch bugs and many other insects prefer and thrive in lawns with thatch. If your lawn has Chinch bugs, dethatching is an important tool for controlling them.
If lawn thatch is very thick, it is advisable to do a core aeration before dethatching.
As the benefits of dethatching are significant, we encourage all lawn owners to have their lawns dethatched annually; either by using a service provider or renting a dethatcher and doing it themselves.
We would be pleased to provide you with a quote to dethatch your lawn.
To provide you with pricing, we will need to make a site visit.
Service Area: Annapolis Valley NS, Windsor, Hantsport, Grand Pre, Wolfville, Port Williams, New Minas, Kentville, Coldbrook, Cambridge, Waterville, Berwick, Kingston, Greenwood, Middleton
Copyright 2019 Willow Ridge Yardworks 2720 Black Rock Rd Grafton NS
All rights reserved.
Copyright 2019 Willow Ridge Yardworks 2720 Black Rock Rd Grafton NS
All rights reserved.