What the thatch does
Lawn thatch is made up of dead and partially living parts of plants and roots. This layer can be a few millimeters thick in the initial stage and reach a thickness of up to two centimeters. This carpet lies over the soil layer and changes the air and water balance of the soil. Since the lawn felt acts like a sponge and absorbs moisture, it offers mosses optimal living conditions. The rooted soil hardly gets any water. The moisture evaporates from the upholstery as soon as the sun shines on it.
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The grass roots no longer grow horizontally into the ground, but rather they develop flat in the top layer of the 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 dehydration cause problems for the shallow-rooted grasses. Their shear strength decreases and the lawn reacts more and more sensitively to impact.
Types of lawn and the degree of matting
A lawn with German ryegrass (Lolium perenne) hardly tends to become matted. This competitive grass seldom requires scarifying. Lawn with the meadow panicle (Poa pratensis) or the red fescue (Festuca rubra) are more affected by matting. Lawn thatch occurs most frequently when sown with ostrich grasses (agrostis). The lawns of the house gardens consist to a large extent of the very densely growing Poa species.
Scarifying instead of digging
If a lawn renovation is necessary, it should not be completely digged up. Digging is the last option to restore a garden that has been destroyed or overgrown by voles. The soil layers are deeply restructured, which leads to the stress of 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 deeply as possible. Set the Scarifier(€ 98.00 at Amazon *) so deep that the knives cut lightly into the ground. Use a powerful scarifier from the hardware store. The result is not satisfactory with manually operated garden tools.
Drive over the entire area with the scarifier in longitudinal and transverse rows until the felt has completely loosened. Remove the residue completely and level the soil for reseeding. The seeds must be evenly distributed over the lawn and lightly pressed. Put a thin layer of compost on the area and ensure that it is watered thoroughly.
