Lawn care tip of the week for Raymore Missouri and the surrounding metro.

How do you minimize thatch build up in your lawn? What is thatch? Where does it come from? And why is it important part of having a beautiful lawn? Thatch is created from your leftover grass clippings that has settled down on top of the soil. A small thatch layer is actually a good thing but, it needs to be under ½ inch in thickness. Yards with too much thatch are more prone to insect, diseases and pest damage not to mention it can prevent water form reaching the roots.

How can I prevent thatch build up in my yard, you ask?  Here are a few tips:

•  Never remove more than 1/3 of the grass in a single mowing
• Avoid mowing a wet lawn
• Rotate mowing directions
• If you have standing thatch after a mowing, bag or rake to remove
• Consider using mulching blades

Don’t pull out that bagger just yet, when you properly mow your yard the grass clippings are actually beneficial for your turf. Grass clippings will recycle nutrients back into the soil . Also a proper thatch layer helps with keeping the soil temperature lower, as well as added protection from unwanted pest and disease.

So, what if I already have thatch build up over ½ inch in my yard? Then you need to de-thatch by power raking your lawn. The power rake will bring the dead thatch to the top of the lawn. It will also slice the stolons which will promote new growth. You will be surprised how much thatch comes to the surface. Then you will have to remove that thatch, preferably by raking. Last, you will need to re-seed the lawn, the best time is in the fall. Do all of this then, since the proper time to seed is between September and October.

Written by: Michael Candillo, owner of Garden Gate Lawn & Landscape, LLC