Following the drought conditions that many parts of the UK have experienced during this very dry summer, your lawn may well have deteriorated and found itself in desperate need of repair.
Excessive thatch build-up and compaction can starve your roots of water and nutrient availability and the lack of these key elements can result in an unhealthy lawn that dries out quickly during periods of minimal rainfall.

To maintain a healthy lawn, it’s important to monitor the levels of thatch in your lawn and right now your lawn may have accumulated quite a build-up. So, what really is thatch and what can be done about it? We have all the answers you need to revive your stressed summer lawn!

 

Drought conditions and minimal rainfall this summer can lead to excessive thatch build-up.

 

What is lawn thatch?

Thatch build-up is a layer of surface and sub-surface dead grass, grass clippings and moss that accumulates in your lawn over time. Naturally, microbes, bacteria and fungi in the soil break down this organic matter but when your soil is lacking these microorganisms, its incapable of doing so. Gradually the organic matter builds up and becomes matted together, creating lawn thatch.

Excessive thatch increases the turf’s susceptibility to lawn diseases, reduces its tolerance to drought, cold, and heat stress; and hinders the movement of air, water, fertilisers, and nutrients into the soil.  

 

A harmful build up of thatch can starve your roots of the water and nutrients it needs to maintain a healthy lawn. Scarification removes excessive thatch build up.

 

What causes excessive thatch build-up?

Some organic matter, such as small grass clippings or mulched leaves, break down quickly in healthy lawns, but other materials take much longer to decompose. When this build-up outpaces breakdown, your lawn’s thatch layer grows thicker. So, let’s get to the ‘root’ of it all.

Soil Compaction

This occurs when soil particles are pressed together, reducing pore space between them. Compacted soil has a reduced rate of both water infiltration and drainage, creating a decline in root growth and often leaves the lawn with bare areas.

 

Aeration relieves compaction and allows oxygen, nutrient and water to penetrate the root zone preventing thatch build-up.

 

Too much or too little water

Over watering your lawn will have an influence on decomposition. The micro-organisms that decompose thatch require air to survive and reproduce and its these micro-organisms that cannot thrive in wet soils.

If the soil is too dry from lack of water, the grass plants no longer find it helpful to grow roots into the soil. Rather than attempting to absorb water from the soil, the grass plants start to grow their roots into the thatch layer.

Soil type

Since thatch is decomposed by the micro-organisms in the soil, soil type plays a key part in thatch build up.  Sand based soils contain a very low amount of microorganisms required to break down the organic matter whereas soils with a high loam content have a larger population of microorganisms.

Unbalanced fertilisation

Although fertiliser is essential to the overall health of the lawn, too much nitrogen can cause excessive thatch. This is because it promotes rapid, lush growth that only adds to the thatch layer.

At Lawntech, Our Annual Lawn Care Programme consists of balanced treatments to promote a healthy growth. To find out more about the benefits of our fertilisers visit the dedicated treatment page on our website here.

Preventing and removing thatch

Aerating your lawn is an effective method in reducing thatch build up. It improves the health of the soil and encourages the microbial activity to naturally breakdown organic matters. Oxygen, nutrients and water are able to penetrate into the root zone and relieve compaction.

 

Although a mechanical scarification may appear scary, this process plays an important part in removing harmful thatch build-up to improve your lawn’s health.

 

Scarifying your lawn removes the excessive build up of thatch and moss. It’s an important part in maintaining your lawn’s health. Eliminating this debris from your lawn encourages fresh, more resilient grass growth ultimately giving you much healthier grass.

The most effective method is a mechanical scarification. Our 3-point Lawn Renovation package which consists of scarification, aeration and over-seeding is the perfect combination of treatments to rejuvenate your thatchy, tired or stressed lawn and restore it to a green and healthy state.

Mid August – October is the best time for to carry out your Lawn Renovation. Warm soil temperatures and autumn showers assist germination and ensure the recovery of your lawn as you move into winter.

 

A Lawn Renovation can revive your dry, thatchy lawn and encourage fresh, resilient grass growth.

 

To find out more about a Lawn Renovation and removing harmful thatch build up in your lawn, contact our team today or visit our website and receive an instant no obligation quote.

Pin It on Pinterest