Thatch questions

[Fullheadofturf1234]

I figured out today that Thatch maybe a huge issue contributing to fungus as well as what appears to be a lack of break down of clippings from mowings.

I know that this season(being a newbie and all) have broken the 2/3 rule.
That being said, my mower is 99’ recycler. Got a gator blade this season and keep it sharp as well as adjusting the rev rate.

The question is, how do I determine if my mower is not adequte for mulching?
What should mulched grass look like? Length? Paste?
Its obvious that the smaller the better.

Could those couple of times of breaking the 2/3 rule be the issues and cause a snowball affect?

Also whats the best procedure for dethatching?
Is core aeration ok? I’d prefer that over a mechanical dethatcher for the additional beneifits.
Is that next dethatch product really an option or a gimmick?

[andy10917]

Thatch is made so small by a good mulching mower that it just filters down into the grass and you see nothing.

[TimmyG]

I would change Andy's response to "Clippings are made so small..." Actual thatch is not the result of clippings but rather old grass roots, rhizomes, crowns, etc., that may have a hard time decomposing due to high lignin content. A steady supply of clippings may actually help thatch to decompose.

My supposedly "good" Honda HRX217 mulching mower leaves clippings galore on the surface of the lawn regardless of the conditions or how much I cut. Nevertheless, I have no issues with thatch in my NoMix lawn. I ALWAYS mulch mow.

[seiyafan]

Either the Honda or the newer Toro Super Recycler are great mulching machines.

[andy10917]

I would change Andy's response to "Clippings are made so small..."

That's what I meant. Oops, sorry!

[Fullheadofturf1234]

@Andy, you run with an hrx right ?
So much conflicting data on mower capabilities....

Good news is that I see some rhizomes coming up throw the bad areas And grass responded to the blanced fert.

Guess I need to do double passes or get a new machine if I break the 2/3 rule.

[andy10917]

@Andy, you run with an hrx right ?

Yup! Happy as can be with it.

[Fullheadofturf1234]

So tookthe thatch rake over the like 5 spots and everywhere I went... oodles of thatch
Def. need to dethatch.

When is the best time ? Can i get away with triple aerating instead?


Mad at myself because I know that this is my fault for letting it grow too long.
Not cuz my mowers capability...

[Fullheadofturf1234]

Let me correct myself here...

When is the best time to uses a dethatcher machine to remove dead grass ?
Should I big concerned with damaging rhizomes ?

I guess theres 3 options:
Now
End of 2018when temps drop and growing season is over
Early spring 2019


And yes, I need to use a dethatcer maching because I have dead grass not “thatch”.

[andy10917]

Two weeks after you're dead.

[Fullheadofturf1234]

Two weeks after you're dead.

Never...?

[Paul]

When is the best time to uses a dethatcher machine to remove dead grass ?

If your going to De thatch, now is the best time to do it since this the the ideal time for your grass to recover.

And as far as the Honda HRX not mulching well, I don't agree. I Have had three Honda's now, with a new purchase this year. I never have issues with clippings left on the lawn. Yes, if you let the lawn get too tall, you might see some clippings on the top of the lawn, but they disappear quickly.

[andy10917]

+1. I have no issues.

[llO0DQLE]

Two weeks after you're dead.

Never...?

lol I'll help you out. You're uninitiated here because you're new. General ATY advice is not to do dethatching because it disturbs the soil and brings up weed seeds. Look up BLSC and Kelp help, mulch mow always, use organic ferts like Milo, Soybean Meal, alfalfa pellets and corn meal and you should not have a thatch problem. Also, make sure it's really thatch that you have AND that it's an unhealthy amount. I think somewhere around over 1"- 1.5" of thatch is considered excessive and needs to be dealt with. Less than that and it's normal.

[ronfitch]

Two weeks after you're dead.

Never...?

lol I'll help you out. You're uninitiated here because you're new. General ATY advice is not to do dethatching because it disturbs the soil and brings up weed seeds. Look up BLSC and Kelp help, mulch mow always, use organic ferts like Milo, Soybean Meal, alfalfa pellets and corn meal and you should not have a thatch problem. Also, make sure it's really thatch that you have AND that it's an unhealthy amount. I think somewhere around over 1"- 1.5" of thatch is considered excessive and needs to be dealt with. Less than that and it's normal.

We need a "Like" button here.

If you jump outside this forum to the "Articles" section of the ATY site, you will find Morph's post about BLSC (Best Lawn Soil Conditioner) and Kelp Help:

https://aroundtheyard.com/index.php?opt ... Itemid=117

And searching the forum for "BLSC" will provide a lot of background and context as well as how others use it.

There is a wealth of information in the forum and in the Articles. And a great group of folks posting here.

[Fullheadofturf1234]

I do blsc.

Need to clarify, not thatch but dead grass clumps.

I lifted up with rake and mowed over Im the bad spots.
I think thats enough for now.