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Mon, May 14, 12 at 22:33
| Hi All, first I'm from central NJ and have a 10 yr old tttf/kb lawn. It is sprinklered 3 times a week 20 minutes per zone when it's not raining. In the beginning of April, I applied Scotts turf builder (none of the additives) and Preen weed control for lawns, and limed as well. The grass greened up really thick and lush and looks great cut at 3.5".
But I know in the heat of summer when the growth slows down,underlying thatch will cause the grass to really thin out. So what do I do? I'm thinking of dethatching now followed with a dose of turf builder and the Preen weed control barrier again, with continued watering. Does this sound like a valid plan? I should also add that I've been bagging the clippings and using them under the landscape bushs for weed control. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| I'm all for dethatching as a turf aid. But like all lawn care actions, it is best done when needed, if needed. Dethatching is an agress action. It is best done in early Spring or early Fall when it will be followed by a period where the turf is growing roots, stalons/rhyzomes and when the turf will not be subject to aditional stresses due to heat and reduced water so the turf has the oportunity to recover. Have you determined if you have excessive thatch? (over 1/2 inch in depth) Some thach can be beneficial as it helps reduce water evaporation from the soil. There are others on this site that are more knowledgable than I, who can better advise you on your lime, fertilization and bagging of clippings habits. |
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- Posted by MountainSnake none (My Page) on Wed, May 16, 12 at 21:55
| I agree with grass1950. I think dethatching is a good idea if it is needed, which usually isn't too often. At 10 years you might benefit if it hasn't been done recently, or at all. It is an aggressive action though as mentioned. I think spring should be the pamper period for your grass. You want your grass to come out of the gate strong so that it will look its best and be able to thrive through the summer. When it comes to aerating and dethatching I prefer to do it early in the fall just at the time the fall growing period begins. That way you can rough up the grass and still have time for it to recover before it settles in for winter. At that point you don't have to worry about how it looks. Fertilize and overseed at the same time and you will really benefit the following spring. |
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- Posted by dchall_san_antonio 8 San Antonio (My Page) on Wed, May 16, 12 at 22:04
| I think your thatch, if you really have it, is symptom of too frequent and too shallow irrigation. If you dig down you will find your roots are all at the surface. Whereas if you change to watering more deeply once a week during the hottest part of summer and once a month the rest of the year, your grass roots will grow much deeper and thatch will not be an issue. One problem with shallow, frequent watering is the plant does not need to develop itself to grow. It is going to be wet again in a day or two so it keeps itself compact. Tillers become short as do roots. I've seen grass watered every day that actually had roots above the soil surface. If that lawn missed a day of watering (broken sprinkler head, for example), it would have died. |
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