Dethatching Lawns: What, Why, How, and When
“Organic” is usually thought of as a good thing, but the organic thatch can become a problem, necessitating the dethatching of a lawn. Here is why.
Think of a lawn as having three levels:
- The grass blades, themselves: This is the level that you see. You will observe the results of your lawn care efforts at this level, but much of the “action” takes place at a lower level.
- The soil
- The layer of thatch between the grass blades and the soil
Having a green lawn starts with having good soil, in which the roots of your grass reside. An ideal soil is one that:
- Is kept evenly moist
- Has good aeration
- Has a pH level of about 6.5
- Enjoys sufficient nutrients
