Why does thatch harm my grass?
Thatch causes a number of problems for your grass. Thich thatch layers contribute to drought stress because water has a hard time reaching the soil and runs off instead of sinking in. Numerous insect pests live and breed in the thatch layer. In humid climates, thatch harbours fungal diseases. Light cannot easily penetrate thatch, making grass spindly. The bottom line is that a thick thatch layer is a s ign of a sick lawn.
What is thatch?
Thatch appears right at the soil surface and looks like a layer of straw. It is composed of mainly grass parts that live underground, but also includes lawn clippings and other decayed material. In healthy soil, the plant parts decompose quickly into humus, but in soil that is compacted, over watered, over fertilised or under polulated with earth worms and soil insects, you end up with thatch.
When should I water my lawn?
Water in the early morning (before sunrise) when water pressure is greatest, evaporation is minimal and the lawn drinks in the most water. Do not water in the evening because water will sit on the lawn and may cause disease. Do not water in the heat of the day because the sun will evaporate water before it can soak in.
How much should I water my lawn?
Water should penetrate to the depths of the roots (fill the root zone) or to the depth that roots are desired.
What happens if I do not water my lawn enough?
If too much water is allowed to leave the soil, your lawn will not be able to extract what is left for it's own use, leading to stress. This makes the grass weak and susceptable to physical damage, insect damage and disease.
What happens if I over water my lawn?
More lawns are harmed by too much water than not enough. Over watering causes nutrients to be flushed away, resulting in higher fertilizer requirements. Over watering also displaces oxygen from the soil, which leads to shallow roots and a lawn that is disease prone and weed infested.
Why does my grass develop yellow patches after I mow?
You are probably moving too much of the grass leaf at each mowing. Either mow more frequently so you never remove more than one third of the leaf blade, or you need to level out the high spots because the mower is cutting too low as it goes over bumps.
What happens if I mow the lawn too often?
Cutting a lawn too often, particularly with the blade set low exposes the lower portion of the grass leaves to bright sun, burning them. If this happens repeatedly, grass reacts by developing shallow roots. Shallow rooted lawns are particularly prone to disease and weed problems. In addition, poor rooting does not provide enough nutriernt to the grass leaves. A lawn with shallow roots may eventually die out.
Does it matter what time of day I mow the lawn?
Early evening is the best time to mow. The late start gives blades time to recover before they are exposed to daytime heat and wind. Mow with a sharp blade and never mow wet grass.
Does it matter what pattern I use to mow my yard?
Surprisingly yes. It is actually best to mow your lawn in different directions. That keeps grass from developing permanent ridges, ruts or becoming compacted from constant traffic.
How often should I mow my lawn?
Mow fequently enough that only small portion of the green leaf is lost at any one clipping - ideally once a week so that no more than one-third of the leaf blade should be removed.
Can I cut off too much grass in a single mowing?
Never remove more than a third of your grass height at one time. Cutting your grass too short can severely limit its ability to manufacture food and resist weed invasion.
Can I leave grass too tall?
Grass that is too tall can promote thatch build-up, encouraging insect and disease damage. |