Thatch looks unsightly and affects plants and soil. But not every lawn tends to become matted. If the thatch has spread, you should gently renew the lawn.

Scarifying repairs the lawn

What the lawn thatch does

Lawn thatch is made up of dead and partially living plant parts and roots. This layer can be a few millimeters thick in the early stages and can reach a thickness of up to two centimeters. This carpet lays over the soil layer and changes the air and water balance of the soil. Since the thatch acts like a sponge and absorbs moisture, it offers moss optimal living conditions. The rooted soil hardly gets any water. The moisture evaporates from the cushion as soon as the sun shines on it.

The grass roots no longer grow horizontally in the ground, but develop flat in the top layer of soil. Sometimes they grow into the felt layer in search of moisture. A shallow root system develops, which reacts sensitively to fluctuations in the water balance. Even short periods of deprivation of water cause problems for the shallow-rooted grasses. Their shear strength decreases and the lawn reacts more and more sensitively to impact loads.

Lawn types and degree of matting

A lawn with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) has little tendency to become matted. This competitive grass rarely needs scarifying. Lawns with meadow meadow grass (Poa pratensis) or red fescue (Festuca rubra) are more affected by matting. Lawn thatch occurs most frequently in seeds with bent grasses (Agrostis). The lawns of the home gardens consist largely of the very densely growing Poa species.

Scarify instead of digging

If a lawn renovation is necessary, you should avoid a complete digging. Digging is the last resort to restore a garden destroyed or overgrown by voles. In the process, the layers of soil are deeply shifted, which leads to stress on the sensitive soil organisms. Scarifying offers a gentle alternative and is ideal for renewing the lawn.

Advantages of scarifying:

  • Improvement of the air and water balance
  • Loosening of the upper substrate layer
  • Protection of the deeper soil layers

Renew the lawn

Cut the lawn back to four inches and fertilize the area. This prepares the old stock for the upcoming disruptions. If the lawn has grown tall after fertilizing, mow it as low as possible. Set the scarifier (€84.00) so deep that the blades cut slightly into the ground. Use a powerful scarifier from the hardware store. With hand-operated garden tools, the result is not satisfactory.

Drive over the entire area with the scarifier in longitudinal and transverse rows until the felt has completely come off. Remove residues completely and level the ground for reseeding. The seed must be evenly distributed over the lawn and lightly pressed. Spread a thin layer of compost over the area and ensure thorough watering.

Category:

Garden design