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Thatch Managment
What is Thatch?
Thatch is a sponge-like layer of living and dead plant parts, located just below the grass. It is rarely visible from the surface, as it accumulates between the base of the grass plants and the soil surface.
Excessive thatch is the#1 reason for most lawn problems!
Thatch harbors turf damaging insects and contributes to the growth and spread of disease causing fungi.
Is thatch harmful to my lawn?
Yes it is.
- Thatch layers act like sponges, trapping moisture and nutrients on the soil surface. This encourages roots to grow in the thatch where they become weak and die, causing more thatch.
- Thatch reduces the effectiveness of applied fertilizers and other lawn care products.
- Thatch makes an excellent breeding ground for turf damaging insects such as sod webworms, cut worms and chinch bugs.
- Thatch traps moisture near the surface of the grass, which contributes to the development and spread of disease.
- Thatch weakens the health of the lawn, making it more susceptible to damage from drought, heat, insects and diseases.
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