Pros and Cons of Dethatching Lawn
Straw is undoubtedly good for lawns. However, when the thatch layer exceeds ½ inch, scratches become a priority. The problem with scratching, however, is that it negates the benefits of matting. The pros and cons of dethatching lawn is still to keep some thatch while preventing excessive thatch formation at the bottom of the lawn.
What is scary?
Scratching is the removal of excess lawn thatch. Thatch layer is the layer in which dry grass, stems, roots, stolons, and grass clippings accumulate between the base of actively growing grass and the soil surface.
Thatch forms a vegetative barrier and can be detrimental to lawn health and growth if built up too thickly (over 0.5 inch). Scratches prevent these adverse effects from damaging your lawn.
Use tools such as hand rakes, electric rakes, or stand-up lawn mowers (scarifiers) to loosen the soil.
Pros and cons of dethatching lawn
There are many advantages to cleaning your lawn. It creates more air pockets in the straw layer, allowing air, water, sunlight, fertilizer and herbicides to easily reach the soil. However, straw also has advantages for lawn soils. Therefore, scratches have their drawbacks.
These are the benefits of scratches.
It increases the penetration of air, water and sunlight.
Soil loosening allows water, air and sunlight to penetrate the soil and reach the roots. As a result, the roots become deeper and stronger, improving the health of the lawn grass. Grasses with extensive root systems are less susceptible to drought and heat.
It reduces susceptibility to disease.
Crude straw produces anaerobic conditions without free oxygen. Such conditions are ideal for the survival of disease-causing fungal organisms such as Sclerotinia homoeocarpa, the dollar spot pathogen in turfgrass. Cleaning your lawn can reduce the likelihood of fungal diseases attacking the grass.
Some disease-causing pests/insects, such as booklice and mites, also thrive in moist and warm conditions on thick straw. Scratches also help prevent pest infestations.
It increases the penetration of fertilizers.
Straw forms a plant barrier. Soil loosening removes the barrier, making it easier for fertilizers to penetrate the soil. Most lawn types stay healthy and fill faster when fertilizer is applied to the soil.
It increases herbicide penetration.
Systemic herbicides enter weedy plants through the roots and are then transported to the rest of the plant, where they must first reach the soil before they can enter the roots. These herbicides are less likely to reach the soil if a thick layer of straw forms a barrier. Scarifying allows these herbicides to penetrate the soil and reach the roots of the weeds.
It increases the success rate of reseeding.
The straw mixes with the turf topsoil to create a false substrate layer that the new grass seeds mistake for real soil. Straw does not retain nutrients like soil. As a result, the grass seeds that sprout in the straw layer are hardly healthy and are prone to death. Soil loosening allows new grass seeds to reach and grow into the soil, making planting more successful.
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It makes your lawn prone to weeds.
Straw forms a barrier that prevents weed seeds in the ground from receiving sufficient sunlight, air and water. Therefore, it helps suppress weed germination. Scarifying peat grass keeps weed seeds in optimal growing conditions.
Loosening can dry out the soil.
Straw limits direct sunlight and atmospheric heat reaching the ground. Straw slows evaporation and retains soil moisture. Cleaning your lawn exposes the soil to direct sunlight and insulation. It leads to increased evaporation. Turfgrass can even die due to drought/insufficient soil moisture.
NOTE: There is a scratch bug that will cause the ground to dry out. Loosening allows more water to enter the soil, as excess thatch tends to retain rain/irrigation water and prevent it from reaching the soil. You can accommodate water intrusion and scratches by inflating the scratched area.
Scratches can increase sensitivity to frost
During the cooler months, thatch prevents cold air from reaching the soil and keeps the turf soil warm. Therefore, lawns with straw are less susceptible to frost damage. Lawns become less hardy and more prone to frost damage in winter after loosening the soil.
Scratches can subject your lawn to lawn damage.
Improperly clearing the lawn with powerful tools such as a power rake or stand mower can cause excessive lawn injury, especially in stolon-free turf spreads.
Can you cut through wet grass?
Technically, you can scratch your lawn when it's soaking wet. But you shouldn't do that. When you use a scarifier, you are physically damaging your lawn. Additionally, wet straw tends to clog the tines of electric scarifier tools, making them less efficient and more tiring. So it's best to avoid it.
However, it is best to loosen the soil when the lawn is slightly damp. To make sure your lawn grass isn't overly wet but damp when it sheds, water your lawn lightly two days before loosening the soil.
Tips against felt formation?
The most effective ways to prevent overbedding are to water properly, aerate the lawn soil, adjust the soil pH, and use a liquid scarifier.
Monitor and adjust soil pH
Changes in soil pH can sometimes lead to reduced microbial activity, which can lead to thatch buildup. Monitor soil pH regularly and adjust accordingly to avoid excess thatch. If the soil is too acidic, add lime to raise the pH.
NOTE: The ideal soil pH for soil bacteria involved in straw decomposition is 6.5. A pH below 6 is too acidic and reduces microbial activity.
Apply liquid scarifier
While scarifiers such as rakes and vertical mowers are usually used when the thatch has accumulated excessively, you can use a liquid mower when the thatch is still light to prevent it from building up. Liquid scarifiers or organic scarifiers contain thatch-accelerating bacteria and enzymes, preventing the thatch from getting too thick.
In conclusion
In short, before seeking the help of a professional lawn scarifier or renting a lawn scarifier (if you are a DIY enthusiast), it is important to consider the pros and cons of dethatching lawn scarifiers discussed above.
Don't forget that scratching is only practical if your lawn has a particular thatch problem - especially if it's more than an inch thick. A final reminder if you want to do this: the correct time to perform this procedure will depend on the type of grass you are growing and the climatic conditions...
As before, remove warm-season grasses before summer and cool-season grasses in early fall.
