If you’ve been told your lawn needs to be dethatched every spring, you are not alone. It’s one of the most common misconceptions in lawn care that we have heard from other companies and customers since we started in 2007.
Because of this misconception, we wanted to break down this important concept for you:
What Is Thatch?
Thatch is a layer of organic material like grass clippings, roots, and stems that reside between the soil and the green grass you see.
An important measurement: A thin layer of thatch (under ½ inch) is actually healthy for your lawn.
Why Some Thatch Is a Good Thing:
A light thatch layer works in your lawn’s favor by holding in moisture during dry and windy Wyoming conditions. It helps to insulate the roots from our unforeseen temperature swings while providing nutrients as they thatch breaks down. Some thatch is also known to reduce soil compaction; when soil particles get pressed tightly together, reducing the space between them. The small spaces between them are critical because they hold air, water, and nutrients that plants and your lawn need to survive.
In a place like Southeast Wyoming where moisture retention is critical, that layer can be a huge benefit to most of our neighboring lawns.
When Thatch Becomes a Problem
Thatch only becomes harmful when it builds up over ½ inch thick. When thatch has reached beyond that mark it can start to block water and nutrients from reaching the soil. Overtime it will start to create shallow root systems leading to patchy or stressed grass.
The Problem with Yearly Dethatching
Dethatching every year can actually do more harm than good. It can cause unnecessary stress to your lawn by tearing up healthy grass and root systems. This added level of stress to the lawn will eventually encourage the growth of weeds and drought to the soil.
Therefore, do not mistake dethatching as routine maintenance rather than a corrective measure when there is a real issue.
Skip the Power Rake!
Power raking is aggressive. If your thatch layer is under ½ inch there is no need to power rake your yard. Instead, we suggest that you focus on practices that support a healthy lawn like Core Aeration, Proper Watering and Seasonal Fertilization.
At Tough Guys we like to inform our customers that a healthy lawn is not about doing more or following some routine.
“Real care for your lawn is about doing the right things at the right time.” Says Ridge Pischer Operations Manager of Tough Guys.
If you’re unsure about your lawn’s condition and are curious how Tough Guys supports healthy and long-lasting lawn care, contact us for a free estimate on our Healthy Lawn Solutions with optional and fantastic services for this dry season like Aeration and water retention compounds. At Tough Guys we also offer aeration as a standalone service or if you want the whole year-round care for your property, ask us about our All-Season Care Plan that now includes seasonal holiday lighting installation, take down and storage for next year broken out into budget-friendly, monthly billing.
