- What is Thatch?<\/a><\/li>
- What Does Thatch Look Like?<\/a><\/li>
- How Thatch Develops<\/a><\/li>
- The Pros and Cons of Thatch<\/a><\/li>
- Grasses That Are Prone to Thatch<\/a><\/li>
- How to Check for Thatch<\/a><\/li>
- How to Get Rid of Thatch<\/a><\/li>
- Ways to Prevent Thatch<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ About Thatch<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
What is Thatch?<\/h2>
The thatch in your lawn is the layer of tightly intertwined organic matter that forms between growing grass and the soil surface. This organic matter is made up of living and dead grass stems, leaves, and roots. It develops naturally over time.
\u201cThatch, to some degree, is present in all lawns. Depths of one-half inch or less are normal,\u201d says Aaron Steil<\/a>, Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist for Iowa State University. Lawn problems start only when this layer gets deeper than 1\/2 inch.<\/p>What Does Thatch Look Like?<\/h2>
![\"Thatch](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/thatch-800.jpg\")
Photo credit: borzywoj <\/a>\/ Shutterstock \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Thatch looks like a layer of spongy, stringy material that forms between the soil and the grass stems. Lawn thatch also acts much like a sponge does. Whenever your yard gets wet from rain or irrigation, a lot of the water gets trapped in this thatch layer. <\/p>
When the thatch layer gets too thick, it can cause a whole host of lawn issues, from dehydration to plant death. Steil explains, \u201cWhen the thatch layer becomes deeper than one-half inch, the roots of the plants will start growing in the thatch layer made up of living and dead shoots, crowns, and roots instead of the soil. This increases the potential for turf damage due to drought, extremes in temperature, diseases, and insects.\u201d<\/p>
How Thatch Develops<\/h2>
![\"illustration](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/thatch-illustration.jpg\")
Infographic by Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure> Thatch develops gradually over time when your lawn produces more organic material than the organisms in the soil can decompose. With that, living and dead grass material starts to accumulate between the growing grass and the soil, forming the thatch layer.<\/p>
Thatch development is a natural process, but the speed at which it accumulates is what homeowners can influence. Bad lawn care practices or poor lawn management can speed up the process of thatch accumulation.<\/p>
Steil observes, \u201cIn home lawns, thatch tends to only be an issue in lawns that are over-fertilized, over-irrigated, and\/or infrequently mowed.\u201d In addition to these, here are a few other common causes of thatch:<\/p>
- Excessive fungicide and pesticide use. <\/strong>Decomposers are living things that break down organic material. Using too many fungicides and insecticides can kill earthworms, microorganisms, and other decomposers, leading to more thatch.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Bad fertilization practices.<\/strong> Typically, bad fertilization technique results in too much nitrogen being introduced to your lawn, which can invite disease. This also promotes fast and vigorous lawn growth, which means it produces more organic material that can become part of the thatch layer.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Highly acidic soils.<\/strong> While grass typically prefers more acidic over alkaline soils, too low of a soil pH can kill beneficial organisms, resulting in thatch buildup. Ideally, you should conduct a soil test every three to four years to check its pH.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Soil compaction. <\/strong>Compacted soil isn\u2019t an ideal environment for grass or microorganisms. Hard soil that you can barely dig is one of the telltale signs of compacted soil<\/a>.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Improper irrigation.<\/strong> Watering your lawn too much will discourage deep root growth. Shallow roots can also contribute to thatch buildup.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Bad mowing practices.<\/strong> If you don\u2019t mow your lawn frequently and let it grow tall, you\u2019re more likely to take off more than 1\/3 of your turf\u2019s leaf blades. You might get more of the stem, which breaks down slower than the leaves. Take a look at our lawn mowing tips<\/a> to get a perfect mow every time.<\/li> <\/ul>
See Related:<\/strong><\/p>
- Integrated Pest Management for the Lawn<\/a><\/li>
- How to Fix an Over-Fertilized Lawn<\/a><\/li>
- Why, When, and How to Test the Soil pH of Your Lawn<\/a><\/li>
- Signs of Overwatering Your Lawn<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
The Pros and Cons of Thatch<\/h2>
![\"person](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Dethatching-Lawn.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Ingo Bartussek<\/a> \/ Shutterstock \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Since homeowners typically find out about thatch when it starts causing problems, you might be surprised that it actually has benefits. <\/p>
A Thin Layer of Thatch is Beneficial<\/h3>
\u2713 Thatch helps insulate the soil.<\/strong> It protects your grass roots from fluctuating temperatures.
\u2713 Thatch helps keep your soil moist.<\/strong> Since thatch traps water, it can help keep your soil moist for a longer period of time. As long as you don\u2019t overwater your lawn, this shouldn\u2019t be an issue.
\u2713 Thatch makes your lawn resist foot traffic better. <\/strong>Thatch is spongy and helps soften foot traffic. As a bonus, your lawn feels softer to walk on.<\/p>\u2713 Thatch helps prevent weed germination.<\/strong> Weeds have a harder time sprouting when there\u2019s thatch. <\/p>
However, too much of anything often becomes detrimental. Thatch is no different; a thick layer of thatch makes your lawn less healthy in the long run.<\/p>
Too Much Thatch Causes Problems<\/h3>
\u2717 Excessive thatch restricts the movement of air, water, fertilizer, and other important nutrients. <\/strong>It doesn\u2019t only trap water; it also traps other essential building blocks that turfgrass needs to grow strong and healthy, keeping water and fertilizers from reaching the soil.
\u2717 Excessive thatch promotes shallow roots.<\/strong> Because all of the nutrients are trapped in the thatch, your grass roots won\u2019t have any incentive to grow deep. A shallow root system makes for an unhealthy lawn; it\u2019s less drought-resistant and has worse cold, heat, and disease tolerance.
\u2717 Excessive thatch causes soil moisture issues and contributes to lawn diseases.<\/strong> When thatch dries out completely, it\u2019s difficult to get it wet again. It causes problems when it\u2019s too wet too, encouraging fungal growth, preventing air from getting to your turf\u2019s root system and inviting common lawn diseases<\/a>.
\u2717 Excessive thatch makes mowing your lawn more difficult.<\/strong> Remember how thatch is spongy and springy? That can cause your lawn mower\u2019s wheels to sink, making your grass blades higher than usual. This makes it easier to scalp your lawn, leading to an ugly, damaging, and possibly uneven cut.<\/p>Additionally, excessive thatch may also be one of the reasons your grass grows in clumps<\/a> due to how it impairs nutrient absorption.<\/p>
If you suspect your lawn might have excessive thatch, check our guide to learn the signs your lawn has too much thatch<\/a>.<\/p>
Grasses That Are Prone to Thatch<\/h2>
![\"Kentucky](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Kentucky-Bluegrass.jpg\")
Kentucky Bluegrass
Photo Credit: Shutterstock<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>Some grasses are more prone to developing thatch, typically those that are more high-maintenance and spread through stolons and rhizomes (or both). Additionally, grasses that have more lignin \u2014 a material found in plant cells that\u2019s difficult to break down \u2014 produce more thatch. These thatch-prone grasses are:<\/p>
- Kentucky bluegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Creeping bentgrass<\/a><\/li>
- Creeping red fescue, a type of fine fescue<\/a><\/li>
- Hybrid Bermudagrasses<\/a><\/li>
- St. Augustinegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Zoysiagrass<\/a><\/li>
- Centipedegrass<\/a> (when overfertilized)<\/li> <\/ul>
How to Check for Thatch<\/h2>
Are you worried about having a thatch problem? Dr. Becky Bowling<\/a>, Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences and Extension Specialist at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, mentioned these telltale signs: \u201cA spongy lawn underfoot or a bouncy mower during operation can be signs of excessive thatch buildup.\u201d<\/p>
Additionally, she explains, \u201cHomeowners may also notice increased weed and disease pressure, as thatch can create a favorable environment for many pests.\u201d<\/p>
Checking the thickness of your lawn\u2019s thatch layer is quite easy; all you need is a trowel and a ruler (if you want to be precise). Here\u2019s the best way to measure thatch thickness:<\/p>
- Cut out a small plug of grass about 2 inches deep<\/strong> with a trowel or another garden tool.<\/li>
- Look at the plug. <\/strong>You should see the grass, the soil, and a spongy layer of thatch in between them.<\/li>
- Press down on the thatch and measure it.<\/strong> If it\u2019s more than 1\/2-inch thick, then you have too much thatch.<\/li>
- Repeat with a few more plugs <\/strong>around different parts of your lawn to check if it\u2019s a problem across your whole yard.<\/li> <\/ol>
How to Get Rid of Thatch<\/h2>
Dethatching is the best way to get rid of thatch in your lawn. It involves tearing through your lawn to remove the thatch layer beneath with a dethatching tool. As Steil advises, \u201cIf thatch levels are too deep, use a vertical mower or power rake to detach the lawn.\u201d<\/p>
- Dethatching rake <\/li>
- Power rake<\/a> <\/li>
- Vertical mower (also known as a verticutter<\/a>)<\/li> <\/ul>
Pro Tip: <\/strong>A manual dethatching rake is best for very small areas.<\/p>
Here\u2019s a brief overview of how to get rid of thatch:<\/p>
- Water your lawn<\/strong> two days before dethatching.<\/li>
- Run the dethatching machine<\/strong> across the lawn at least three times.<\/li>
- Remove the piles of thatch<\/strong> and dispose of them when you\u2019re finished.<\/li> <\/ol>
For a more in-depth look at how to get rid of thatch, you can read our article about How to Dethatch Your Lawn<\/a> for a detailed, step-by-step guide. <\/p>
Pro Tip:<\/strong> To kill two birds with one stone, know that you can dethatch and aerate at the same time<\/a>.<\/p>
Ways to Prevent Thatch<\/h2>
![\"Green](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_460497851.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Mikhailov Studio<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock Free \/ License<\/a>
<\/figcaption><\/figure>A lot of what you can do to minimize thatch production is to practice good lawn management. As Steil says, \u201cWhen lawns are maintained appropriately, thatch is rarely a concern. Proper watering and mowing techniques, moderate fertilizer applications, and annual (or bi-annual) core aeration are all maintenance practices that help prevent excessive thatch build-up.\u201d<\/p>
Here are some lawn maintenance tips for How to Prevent Thatch<\/a>:<\/p>
- Water deeply and infrequently.<\/strong> Instead of watering for a few minutes every day, water your lawn once or twice a week in the morning.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Fertilize responsibly.<\/strong> Don\u2019t overfertilize. Fertilize your grass with a slow-release fertilizer during your turf\u2019s growing season.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Mow your lawn properly.<\/strong> If you mow your lawn often and take off only 1\/3 of your turf\u2019s crown whenever you mow, you\u2019ll keep your lawn neat while preventing thatch buildup.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Practice grasscycling.<\/strong> Using grass clippings as mulch on your lawn promotes the population growth of beneficial organisms that help get rid of thatch.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Maintain the proper soil pH for growing grass.<\/strong> The optimal soil pH for growing a healthy lawn and fostering microbial activity is around 6.0 to 7.0.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Consider aerating your lawn.<\/strong> Core aeration<\/a> helps your lawn breathe by reducing soil compaction. This promotes healthy grass growth and removes some thatch, too.<\/li> <\/ul>
See Related:<\/strong><\/p>
- Best Time to Water Your Grass<\/a><\/li>
- How to Fertilize Your Lawn<\/a><\/li>
- Reasons to Use Grass Clippings as Mulch<\/a><\/li>
- Why, When, and How to Lime a Lawn<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
FAQ About Thatch<\/h2>
When Should You Dethatch a Lawn?<\/strong>You should dethatch during your turf\u2019s growing season, just before its annual growth spurt.\u00a0
Can You Dethatch a Stressed Lawn?<\/strong>Never<\/em> dethatch a stressed lawn. A lawn that\u2019s stressed from drought and high temperatures is weakened and won\u2019t be able to recover from dethatching quickly. According to Bowling, \u201cExtreme weather conditions, such as excessive heat, drought, or cold, should be avoided to prevent undue stress.\u201d
What Grasses Aren\u2019t Prone to Thatch Development?<\/strong>Bunch-type grasses don\u2019t really spread, so they\u2019re less prone to thatch development. Bunch-type grasses homeowners can cultivate in their lawns include tall fescue<\/a> and perennial ryegrass<\/a>.<\/p> <\/div>
How Much Does Professional Dethatching Cost?<\/strong>The national average cost of dethatching your lawn<\/a>, if you hire a professional landscaping service, is about $175 per hour<\/strong> or between $0.04 and $0.06 per square foot<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Dethatch for a Healthy and Green Lawn<\/h2>
While a little bit of thatch is good for your lawn, you\u2019ll need to get rid of it if it becomes too thick. You could do it yourself \u2014 you can rent (or buy) the tools you need if you want to dethatch your lawn DIY. However, it takes quite a bit of time and effort to get it done properly.<\/p>
So, why not hire someone else to dethatch your lawn? LawnStarter can connect you with capable lawn care professionals in your area who can get rid of that pesky thatch for you. Hire a lawn care pro near you<\/a> today.<\/p>
Main Image Credit: stenkovlad<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock Free \/ License<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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Now, she\u2019s interested in urban gardening with her family. She loves finding new tips and tricks to keep their plants thriving.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/janine-caayao\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/lawn-care-2\\\/what-is-thatch\\\/#faq-question-1739132391194\",\"position\":1,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/lawn-care-2\\\/what-is-thatch\\\/#faq-question-1739132391194\",\"name\":\"When Should You Dethatch a Lawn?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"You should dethatch during your turf\u2019s growing season, just before its annual growth spurt.\u00a0<br\\\/><br\\\/><strong>\u2022<\\\/strong> For <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/lawn-care-2\\\/warm-season-grass-growing-guide\\\/\\\">warm-season grasses<\\\/a>, dethatch in the <strong>late spring or early summer<\\\/strong> when rainfall (or irrigation) is sufficient and air temperatures fall between 80 to 95 Fahrenheit, Bowling specifies.\u00a0<br\\\/><strong>\u2022<\\\/strong> For <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/lawn-care-2\\\/cool-season-grass-growing-guide\\\/\\\">cool-season grasses<\\\/a>, dethatch from <strong>late summer to early fall<\\\/strong>.<br\\\/><br\\\/>Bowling also states, \u201cWhile dethatching is typically not necessary every year in a home lawn, it can be beneficial every two to three years, particularly for certain species like Zoysiagrass.\u201c<br\\\/><br\\\/>Visit our article on <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/lawn-care-2\\\/when-to-dethatch-lawn\\\/\\\">When to Dethatch Your Lawn<\\\/a> for an in-depth look at the right time to dethatch.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/lawn-care-2\\\/what-is-thatch\\\/#faq-question-1739132409228\",\"position\":2,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/lawn-care-2\\\/what-is-thatch\\\/#faq-question-1739132409228\",\"name\":\"Can You Dethatch a Stressed Lawn?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<em>Never<\\\/em> dethatch a stressed lawn. A lawn that\u2019s stressed from drought and high temperatures is weakened and won\u2019t be able to recover from dethatching quickly. 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Bunch-type grasses homeowners can cultivate in their lawns include <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/grass-guides\\\/tall-fescue-lawn-maintenance-guide\\\/\\\">tall fescue<\\\/a> and <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/lawn-care-2\\\/perennial-ryegrass\\\/\\\">perennial ryegrass<\\\/a>.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/lawn-care-2\\\/what-is-thatch\\\/#faq-question-1739132424628\",\"position\":4,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/lawn-care-2\\\/what-is-thatch\\\/#faq-question-1739132424628\",\"name\":\"How Much Does Professional Dethatching Cost?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The national average <a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.lawnstarter.com\\\/blog\\\/cost\\\/lawn-dethatching-price\\\/\\\">cost of dethatching your lawn<\\\/a>, if you hire a professional landscaping service, is about <strong>$175 per hour<\\\/strong> or <strong>between $0.04 and $0.06 per square foot<\\\/strong>.\u00a0\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What is Thatch in Your Lawn?","description":"Thatch is the layer of organic matter that develops between the grass and the soil. 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- Best Time to Water Your Grass<\/a><\/li>
- Consider aerating your lawn.<\/strong> Core aeration<\/a> helps your lawn breathe by reducing soil compaction. This promotes healthy grass growth and removes some thatch, too.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Maintain the proper soil pH for growing grass.<\/strong> The optimal soil pH for growing a healthy lawn and fostering microbial activity is around 6.0 to 7.0.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Practice grasscycling.<\/strong> Using grass clippings as mulch on your lawn promotes the population growth of beneficial organisms that help get rid of thatch.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Mow your lawn properly.<\/strong> If you mow your lawn often and take off only 1\/3 of your turf\u2019s crown whenever you mow, you\u2019ll keep your lawn neat while preventing thatch buildup.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Fertilize responsibly.<\/strong> Don\u2019t overfertilize. Fertilize your grass with a slow-release fertilizer during your turf\u2019s growing season.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Run the dethatching machine<\/strong> across the lawn at least three times.<\/li>
- Vertical mower (also known as a verticutter<\/a>)<\/li> <\/ul>
- Look at the plug. <\/strong>You should see the grass, the soil, and a spongy layer of thatch in between them.<\/li>
- Creeping bentgrass<\/a><\/li>
- How to Fix an Over-Fertilized Lawn<\/a><\/li>
- Integrated Pest Management for the Lawn<\/a><\/li>
- Bad mowing practices.<\/strong> If you don\u2019t mow your lawn frequently and let it grow tall, you\u2019re more likely to take off more than 1\/3 of your turf\u2019s leaf blades. You might get more of the stem, which breaks down slower than the leaves. Take a look at our lawn mowing tips<\/a> to get a perfect mow every time.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Improper irrigation.<\/strong> Watering your lawn too much will discourage deep root growth. Shallow roots can also contribute to thatch buildup.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Soil compaction. <\/strong>Compacted soil isn\u2019t an ideal environment for grass or microorganisms. Hard soil that you can barely dig is one of the telltale signs of compacted soil<\/a>.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Highly acidic soils.<\/strong> While grass typically prefers more acidic over alkaline soils, too low of a soil pH can kill beneficial organisms, resulting in thatch buildup. Ideally, you should conduct a soil test every three to four years to check its pH.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Bad fertilization practices.<\/strong> Typically, bad fertilization technique results in too much nitrogen being introduced to your lawn, which can invite disease. This also promotes fast and vigorous lawn growth, which means it produces more organic material that can become part of the thatch layer.<\/li> <\/ul>
- What Does Thatch Look Like?<\/a><\/li>