Autumn leaves fallen on green grass field

It’s time to get out in the yard and examine how much thatch is present, according to horticulturalists with the ISU extension office. Thatch is the layer of dead and living plant material that accumulates above the soil surface in lawns. Thatch is composed primarily of shoots, crowns and roots. Some thatch is beneficial, as it supplies necessary food sources for microbes and organic matter. Excessive thatch, however, can be a problem. Amounts greater than ½ inch increase the potential for turf damage due to drought, extremes in temperature, diseases and insects.

Thatch that is properly balanced promotes growth and appearance of a well-groomed lawn. Horticulturalists suggest that hatch layers of ½ inch or greater should be removed with a vertical mower or power rake, and that September is the best month to remove thatch.