Spring Thatch: The #1 Enemy

You probably think your lawn has been quietly sleeping through the winter. But the truth of the matter is that thatch has been growing underneath the surface and causing a quite a problem.

Thatch is a lawn condition that doesn’t allow proper water movement in the soil. When you get a chance sometime, go out into your lawn and dig a small sample out to see what we mean. If you dig several inches down, you’ll find lots of thatch, which is dead and decaying plant tissue.

Now thatch isn’t all bad. In fact, some thatch is beneficial in that it relieves soil compaction and increases wear tolerance. But as with anything, too much of a good thing isn’t so good. As the thatch grows and builds, it’s hard for the soil to get the water and nutrients it so desperately needs. Soon there’s too much thatch which prevents air, light and water from reaching the turf’s root zone. Didn’t know so much was going on out in your lawn did you? Too much thatch is a problem but there is a solution…spring aeration.

If you associate eating breakfast with starting the day right, then aerating is like starting your lawn right for the year. Aeration, as you may know, is the process of mechanically removing small plugs of thatch and soil (about 1.5” in depth) in order to improve soil aeration. Put simply, you’re allowing your lawn to evenly accept water and nutrients which will help your lawn’s health and vigor.

In addition to breaking up the thatch, aeration has other associated benefits:

• Improved air circulation
• Improved soil-water circulation
• Reduced soil compaction
• Improved and even rooting
• Enhanced cushioning
• Reduced water pooling and puddling

Spring aeration essentially allows your lawn to breath and to ‘start the year off right’. After aeration, your lawn will be more efficient with water. In fact, you may notice the ability to go longer between waterings as the surface accepts the water evenly. If you have any questions about aeration in general, give us a call.

Be sure to sign up now for your spring aeration. Just call us at 770-447-6037 ext. 2.