the grasshopper's gazette SPECIAL EDITION

Every year around end of summer through winter we get emails, DM’s and phone calls from customers and even prospective customers asking about fall dethatching. Our answer is very simple: DON’T DO IT! Here is why…

WHAT IS THATCH

There is an area below the grass blades and above the soil that is called “thatch.” This layer can become excessive and cause health problems for your turf. This layer should be visualized using a core sample frequently by a licensed lawn care specialist. 

WHAT IS DETHATCHING?

Dethatching is a mechanical process using either a strong rake for small areas or a vertical dethatching machine for larger areas or entire lawns. What the process does it pulls the spongy buildup in the thatch layer to the surface to allow for easier removal. This is very traumatizing on the turf and should only be done if absolutely necessary. 

St. AUGUSTINE GRASS

We do not recommend St. Augustine grass to be “dethatched.” The process is too violent on the stolons of the turf and can cause irreparable damage. It is much safer for your St. Augustine grass to have a spring aeration done which serves the same purpose with less damage to the delicate turf. This process removes core sections of the turf, no ripping takes place as with dethatching.

ZOYSIA GRASS

Zoysia grass can be dethatched, when necessary. It is a much finer grass blade. Determining whether or not it actually needs it should be done by a licensed, trained professional. Make sure to check the State of Florida database for licensing and credentials. Remember anyone can rent a dethatcher from the hardware store, not everyone knows how, or when, to properly perform the procedure. 

TIMING

In the south we have southern turf varieties. St. Augustine and Zoysia, the two most common grasses in The Villages, should not be dethatched or aerated in the fall. The University of Florida recommends aeration and dethatching occur in the late spring, early summer once the threat of frost/freeze has passed. Fall aerations can leave the turf susceptible to frost and freeze damage. Also, it will leave the turf sparse for a longer period of time which will enable weeds and pests to get a stronger foothold decreasing the overall health of the turf over time. This is why it is recommended to be done in the height of the growing season which will allow it to quickly recover, repair and re-form it’s natural defense.

NUTRIENTS

Any core aeration or dethatching should be followed up with a nutrient application. Soil testing and/or licensed, trained professionals can determine what nutrients are needed to encourage a healthy lawn.

https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/lawns/problems-and-solutions/thatch.html

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/LH/LH01100.pdf

https://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/lawn-care/lawn-dethatching/

http://publications.tamu.edu/TURF_LANDSCAPE/PUB_turf_Thatch%20Management%20for%20Home%20Lawns.pdf

https://www.gardenmyths.com/dethatching-lawn-thatch/

http://aessearch.freshfromflorida.com/