Thatch. A topic that isn’t commonly talked about. Thatch is a material that’s made from dead, decaying foliage and roots. You may think that since thatch is a natural process of decay, it’ll just disappear overtime. However, this is not the case. Thatch can accumulate rapidly, which can cause a few issues for your lawn.

Continue on to learn more about thatch and the potential problems it can cause.

A Detailed Look at Thatch

We’ll start by going over more details about thatch. Thatch is actually a layer of organic matter, both living and dead, that grows around grass and plants. It isn’t as bad as some people make it out to be; in fact, thatch can be beneficial to you. Thatch can be used as a form of mulch, which is something that conserves moisture, provides the lawn with necessary nutrients and prevents weeds from growing. 

The recommended amount of thatch you should use is less than half of an inch per layer. Anything more than that can lead to problems.

Problems Caused by Thatch

Thatch can be useful in a pinch, but most people see it as a burden and for good reason. Aside from building up quickly, here’s a list of the problems an abundance of thick thatch can cause:

• It blocks off water and air

• It prevents fertilizer from reaching the soil

• It promotes bacteria, which causes lawn disease

• Insects are more likely to infest your yard

• Thatch can become a breeding ground for mold due to its ability to retain moisture

Thatch, if not removed quickly, can devastate your lawn and cause it to look like it belongs in a graveyard. 

How to Remove Thatch

As problematic as thatch can be, it is easily preventable and treatable. Obviously, the best way to prevent thatch is to do lawn maintenance regularly and properly. But if you have a lot of thatch, there are plenty of ways to get rid of it. 

Raking your lawn is the most common method. Rakes are tools that are specifically designed to remove decaying foliage from a yard. A lawn mower also accomplishes this except at a faster rate. If the situation calls for it, you could call a lawn care professional to take care of your thatch problem.

There’s no need for your lawn to look like a wasteland. This information is meant to help you understand how to get rid of thatch to keep your yard looking lush.

At some point during the fall season, the grass will go dormant and stop growing. While you don't need to mow the lawn after this happens, there are still plenty of things that you can do to help it survive until the following spring. Let's go over a few of the actions that you should take today to help your lawn look its best next year. 

1. Take Care of Low Spots That Might Flood

There is a good chance that certain parts of your property will sit at a lower elevation than the land around it. Generally speaking, water tends to flow from higher elevations to lower elevations, which means that there may be spots on your property where it could pool or pond. Ideally, you will make an effort to eliminate flat spots on your land or ensure that water is somehow able to drain away from your home.

2. Eliminate Dead Areas Surrounding Pools or Other Objects

Having a pool or trampoline in the yard can be an effective way to keep your kids entertained during the summer months. However, the grass that lays underneath these objects may struggle to survive after being deprived of water and sunlight for a lengthy period of time. In most cases, you will need to plant new grass if you decide to move a pool or another large object has been sitting in the same spot for months or years. 

3. Inspect Areas Where People or Animals Tend to Gather

If your kids play in a designated portion of your backyard, there is a good chance that the grass will become heavily compacted. The same may be true if you regularly hold dinner parties or have outdoor movie nights with friends or family members. In some cases, your pets may stress or damage grass by constantly walking or rolling around on it. 

4. Inspect Locations Where Animals Might Go to the Bathroom

Dog urine can act as a natural fertilizer if it's spread out over a large enough area. However, canine urine can be too acidic for grass when it is concentrated in one location. The good news is that removing the dead grass, watering the area, and planting new seeds should be able to resolve the issue.

The late fall and early winter months are an opportune time to ensure that your grass is healthy and is ready to grow back strong in the spring. In addition to eliminating brown or yellow patches on your property, getting rid of dead grass may make it easier to keep pests at bay.