Managing thatch

Thatch in lawns is often misunderstood; both its cause and control.  Some lawns have serious thatch problems, while others do not. Thatch is a layer of living and dead organic matter that occurs between the green matter and the soil surface.  Excessive thatch (over 3/4" thick) creates an environment favorable for pests and disease and an unfavorable growing environment for grass roots.  It can also interfere with some lawn care practices.

Thatch is the build up of dead roots, lawn debris, and dead turfgrass crowns.  It accumulates because these plant parts build up faster than they break down.  Thatch problems are due to a combination of biological, cultural, and environmental factors.  Cultural practices can have a big impact on thatch.  For example, heavy nitrogen fertilizer applications or over-watering frequently contribute to thatch because they cause the lawn to grow excessively fast.  Avoid over-fertilizing and over-watering.

Grass Re-Cycling

Despite popular belief, short clippings dropped on the lawn after mowing are not the cause of thatch buildup.  Clippings are very high in water content and breakdown rapidly when returned to lawns after mowing, assuming lawns are mowed on a regular basis (not removing more than one-third of the leaf blade).  Forget those long-held beliefs that grass clippings left on a lawn smother the grass underneath or cause thatch.  Grass clippings are actually good for the lawn. 

Grass cycling improves lawn quality.  When grass clippings are allowed to decay naturally on the lawn, they release valuable nutrients, add water-saving mulch, and encourage natural soil aeration by earthworms.

When done properly, clippings quickly decompose and return the nutrients to the soil naturally.  Not only does it make caring for your lawn easier, but it can also reduce your mowing time by 50% because you don’t have to pick up afterwards.  Leaving clippings on the lawn also slows water loss through evaporation and reduces the need for excessive fertilization.  To grass-cycle properly, cut the grass when it’s dry and always keep your mower blades sharp.  From now on, don't bag your lawn clippings — "grass cycle" them.

Grass clippings account for up to 20 percent of the solid waste collected in the United States.  Many waste collection facilities charge a premium for the collection of this yard waste.  By reducing fertilizing requirements due to retained nutrients, reducing watering needs from improving moisture retention, and eliminating the need to dispose of the clippings, "grass cycling" is a great way to save some green from your green (lawn).