Do You Really Need to Dethatch? Lawn Thatch Myths, Benefits & Proper Maintenance

[@GregPhillips.22]

Texas A&M agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/asset-external/thatch-management-for-home-lawns/ Penn State thatch extension.psu.edu/managing-thatch-in-lawns/ Penn State urea hydrolysis extension.psu.edu/enhanced-efficiency-nitrogen-fertilizers-for-turfgrasses

[@rong648]

I live in the transition zone with St Augustine grass, and I have found mowing at 2"-2.5" has prevented a buildup of dead stolon's/ thatch. The other benefit I found is I am able to power rack my grass coming out of dormancy in the spring to remove the dead blades of grass without removing stolon's.

[@GregPhillips.22]

Interesting. Of all the grass species I am learning more about St. Augustine grass each day. We did not have it on the golf courses I managed. Would make a little sense that you are seeing less thatch. The increased organic matter at the soil surface would encourage micro bacterial activity and thus they would be around the much on the thatch.

[@estebanmartinez7713]

So happy to hear it’s better to control thatch rather then de-thatch. Thank you!

[@GregPhillips.22]

Glad I could help. If I can save folks time and steer them to what they only need to do to reach their goals.

[@JoeBilello1969]

I basically use the dethatcher to scruff up the dirt before over-seeding and if it tears out old stuff so be it, its the easiest way to get seed-to-soil contact without totally breaking my spine in half at my age and in my condition. If i attempt to use any manual tool, im dead in 5 to 10 minutes 😢

[@GregPhillips.22]

Agreed..it is great way to prep for overseeding.

[@jackL1021]

Appreciate this channel. Good info

[@GregPhillips.22]

Thanks. I appreciate the feedback!

[@MrNoclutch]

I have been doing replacement of grass through over-seeding and selective herbicide. Took over a uncared-for lawn that started out horribly. Just when I thought I had things getting better now it looks like I have several species of grass and bent grass is the worse. All around me is lawns mowed by "Lawn Services" and one unknown mowed my lawn while I was on vacation (I didn't ask them to) they did it during a very hot, dry time and cut real low (Cool Zone) and I have been struggling to recover since. I cut 3.5 inches and mulch and I believe I helped spread the bad across the lawn. I need to correct a very bumpy lawn so topdress will happen this fall before I overseed. Any hints on tackling this issue?

[@GregPhillips.22]

You can seed before you topdress or if you are going to topdress on the heavy side (more than 1/4 in) put seed out and put a little topdressing on top. What grass will you be seeding. I can not stress enough to get good variety of seed. Will be happy to make some recommendations on varieties.

[@stevejensen3471]

Great vid Greg. Question on aeration - do you rake the cores up or leave them? My past experience with leaving them is that they mash down and spread out, smear the existing grass, and make a mess - especially if they are clayey! By design, I've always raked them up. Would appreciate your thoughts! Thanks a million!

[@GregPhillips.22]

I always dragged mine in. You got to find the goldilocks time where the cores are not too wet to where they squish and not too dry to where they won't break up. It's a little harder on clay soils. Sandy golf greens they break up easily. One other thing you could do....providing you had a cover for the outlet on your lawn mower. Run the mower over the yard to break them up or a dethatcher set on a high setting. Both will bust them up. Just got to watch the projectiles

[@timheitman9819]

What is a good fertilizer program for Ohio

[@GregPhillips.22]

What species of grass do you have?

[@jesusjones3014]

What are your thoughts on using the sun Joe scarifier tool (aka cheap diy verticutting) for Bermuda grass. Edit: of course I stopped the video at 19 min to comment, then finish the video and see you talk about the scarifier right then. Smh, lol!

[@GregPhillips.22]

Actually cover that at the end. Cutting up the stolons..just nicking the surface will help fill in thin spots.

[@bradnielson6215]

How about scarification vs coring for severely thatch filled lawn?

[@GregPhillips.22]

Scarification is for me is basically more aggressive dethatching. If you need it or if you are overseeding it's fine however, if you are just going after thatch keep it or core aerification.

[@adel1815]

Thank you sir . The aeration affected the pre-emergent application?

[@GregPhillips.22]

It can, because you are taking out a small area of the pre-emergent when you remove a core or disturb the ground significantly. Pre-emergent forms a barrier at the soil surface and stays there for a number of months. Breaking that barrier will remove the herbicide from thr soil surface.

[@GregPhillips.22]

References Texas A&M agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/asset-external/thatch-management-for-home-lawns/ Penn State thatch extension.psu.edu/managing-thatch-in-lawns/ Penn State urea hydrolysis extension.psu.edu/enhanced-efficiency-nitrogen-fertilizers-for-turfgrasses

[@GregPhillips.22]

Acelepryn preventative grub control. Pd ad amzn.to/3W8jWCM

[@GregPhillips.22]

Scotts grub ex preventative grub control . Pd ad amzn.to/46fTNXn

[@ryanharris738]

This is my rookie season on the lawn and i don't know thatch well, but my yard has an absolutely terrible time draining water from a few areas, it stays muddy for days after rain. Is that more of a compaction problem?

[@GregPhillips.22]

Not necessarily.. likely more of a surface drainage issue. You can send me a few photos on Facebook "Home Lawn Care Advice" can @ me and will be happy to take a look.

[@jcs1758]

Aerating....6 to 9, 3/4" holes within 1 square foot....?. I think that few, very few, folks actually accomplish that when they hire someone or do it themselves.