What is thatch and what is the best way to treat it?
A. Thatch in turf is a layer of dead and living shoots, stems and roots that develops on the surface of a root zone below the green tops. Decomposing thatch that becomes mixed with soil particles is called “mat”. Up to 6 mm of mat and thatch is usually considered beneficial to many types of turf because it gives turf some resilience; increases wear tolerance; cushions the underlying soil against compaction; acts as a mulch in reducing evaporation of water from the soil; reduces the possibility of weed seeds germinating. Moderate to heavy thatching is detrimental to turf because : Thatch can reduce infiltration of water by becoming water repellent or by being compressed into a dense layer. Dry patches can develop. Heavy thatch reduces the tolerance of turf grasses to heat damage and cold. Scalping can readily occur. Thatch can harbour disease-causing pathogens. Dollar spot, blight, and leaf spot are associated with heavy thatch. Overseeding is difficult. On warm sunny days, phytotoxic s
