What is Thatch?

There are two types of thatch in your yard.

• Free Thatch – This type of thatch is composed of grass clippings and may need to be removed if build-up is excessive.  This can be done with a Power rake (dethatcher) and is a good time to apply seed and fertilizer.

• Actual Thatch – This type of thatch is composed of living and dead grass plants and grass roots.  A small amount of thatch (1/4 inch or less) is of some benefit to your lawn.  It helps retain soil moisture and holds sod together when it is harvested.  Actual Thatch accumulation of more than 1/2 inch can be harmful to your lawn, because grass plants will grow in the thatch, rather than in the soil.  In a dry spell, this large thatch layer will completely dry out and the grass will die.

Prevention

When an actual thatch layer is developing, aerate at least once a year with a “plugger” type aerator and put down a Winter Feed Fertilizer application.