Exploring Dethatching Service for Older Lawns in Austin

Now updated to the most current science in 2023!

What do we mean by Dethatching?

Dethatching, as the name implies, refers to the process of removing portions of the thatch layer from a lawn. Excessive amount of thatch layer can stunt root growth from reaching deeper into the soil. This limits the roots' ability to access water reserves in drought and immovable nutrients.

There are three tried-and-true methods for effective dethatching: Core Aeration, Top Dressing, and Power Raking. First is Core Aeration. While Core Aeration does not remove a lot of thatch directly, it encourages a longer microbial reaction by creating a direct contact between the soil and thatch. It also reduces soil compaction that stimulate root development. Top Dressing, the second method, introduces microorganisms that break down the thatch layer by adding organic matter. These microbes naturally eats away the thatch layer through the natural decomposition process. Lastly and the most invasive procedure of all, power raking. Power raking mechanically removes the thatch layer, which is then removed through either bagged mowing or raking.

A comprehensive lawn dethatching process takes time. It is not uncommon to see all three dethatching methods performed at the same time. Power raking will be followed by bagged mowing, before Core Aeration, and then top dressing.

What is Thatch?

Thatch, primarily composed of decomposing lawn debris, serves as a natural protection for lawns against moisture fluctuations and soil compaction. It serves as a kind of mulch. On football fields and sports turf applications, thatch increases lawn resiliency, improves player footing, and lessens impact. However, having a thatch layer of more than 1" thick indicates that microorganisms in the lawn are having a hard time decomposing the lawn debris, which can harbor disease causing insects and pests through unregulated soil moisture. Fungi can breed under the thatch layer in the Winter, and attack the lawn in Spring to form Yellow Patch, Summer Patch, or Ring Spot.

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Debunking the Myth

Contrary to popular belief, mulching the lawn or otherwise leaving grass clippings or leaves on the lawn will NOT increase the thatch layer. Grass clippings and leaves are made up mostly of water and nutrients that can easily be absorbed by the lawn. According to University of Minnesota Extension, "grass clippings decompose rapidly and contribute very little to thatch accumulation." When it comes to leaving leaves on the lawn, Virginia Tech and Virginia State University says, "Mulching the leaves had no undesirable effects on turf quality or color, growth, thatch accumulation, soil pH, weed populations, or disease pressure. While the leaves did not prove to be a substitute for appropriate N fertilization practices, the general assessment was that mulching was overall very positive and economical."

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Thatch Build-up

Excessive thatch build up happens when the lawn produces more organic debris much faster than can be decomposed. According to Penn State University, "parts of grass plants that are the most resistant to decay — stem nodes, crowns, fibers of vascular tissues, and roots — make up the bulk of thatch." Mowing infrequently will contribute to thatch build up. This is because a significant amount of stem tissue gets cut off. As time passes by mowing one overgrown lawn after another, thatch layer naturally thickens as more and more stem nodes, crowns, fibers, and roots collect underneath the lawn. This is the reason why dethatching exists.

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Thatch Management

Thatch Management calls for regular lawn maintenance, more frequent and regular weekly mowing, even when you think the grass has not grown yet. This limits the length of the grass to be cut and lowers the amount of organic matters resistant to decay. Mowing higher is also preferred to keep the grass lush and thick. Aerate and Top Dress regularly in Spring to reduce the need for synthetic fertilizer. Avoid the use of high yielding Nitrogen synthetic fertilizer because synthetic nitrates simply kill too many soil microbial life. To get a greener look earlier into the growing season, add Iron instead of Nitrogen. Do not deep water lawns that are compacted. When the root system is restricted, there is no added benefit to watering deeply. Excessive moisture in the soil can simply become a paradise for fungal growth that may eat away the lawns' root system. As the lawn thickens and recovers, you may gradually increase watering intervals and increase the amount of water at every watering time. Reducing the watering time may be needed for lawns with slopes and hills to lessen water runoff and top soil erosion.

THE UPDATE

New to 2023, the use of Actively Aerated Compost Tea in Thatch Management

Incorporating actively aerated compost tea into your lawn care regimen offers numerous benefits. Compost tea is a nutrient-rich liquid produced by steeping compost in aerated water. Applying compost tea to dethatched lawns can:

1. Enhance microbial activity, promoting faster thatch decomposition.
2.Improve the soil's nutrient content, supporting healthier root growth and overall lawn vitality.
3. Suppress disease-causing pathogens and pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
4. Increase the lawn's drought tolerance and ability to absorb nutrients and water, leading to more efficient use of resources.

By combining effective dethatching methods with the application of actively aerated compost tea, you can maintain a lush, healthy lawn that can better withstand environmental stressors and requires less reliance on synthetic fertilizers and chemical treatments.

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We hope that our little blog post helps you in understanding more about dethatching and thatch. Should you need help with your lawn, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are very eager to help.