What is thatch?
Thatch is defined as an intermingled layer of dead and living shoots, stems, and roots that develops between the green vegetation and the soil surface. Thatch consists of a loosely interwoven collection of plant matter that imparts sponginess to the turf. A trained Hulett professional can show you if there is a thatch problem in your lawn during your FREE inspection and lawn analysis.
Thatch is dead and decaying root or shoot tissue which occurs at different rates on different varieties of turf. Most couch varieties develop thatch to such a level that dethatching is required to allow water and nutrients to enter the soil and reach the rootzone. Dethatching machines can be hired from most hire centres.
Thatch is the layer of built-up plant material between the green top growth and the roots of grass plants that develops naturally as lawn grasses grow and slough off roots, shoots and leaves. Some thatch helps protect the roots, but excessive thatch prevents moisture, oxygen and nutrients from penetrating the soil and can harbor disease and insects. Regular dethatching forces buds to grow near the base of the grass stems, preventing the grass plants from being dead underneath and only green on top.
Thatch appears right at the soil surface and looks like a layer of straw. It’s composed mainly grass parts that live underground, but also includes lawn clippings and other un decayed material. In healthy soil, the plant parts decompose quickly into humus, but in soil that is compacted, over-watered, over fertilized or under populated with earthworms and soil insects, you end up with thatch.
