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Organic Lawn Care

Thatch Problem // Missing Opportunity to Aerate

9 years ago

I live in zone 5b and have approximately 1" of thatch, bad year for the lawn, red thread, dollar spot and a lack of color.
Since I missed the opportunity to aerate.
(My irrigation system has already been winterized and I am afraid the sprinkler heads would get damaged if I am unable to locate them all and the plug aerator hits them.)
Are there any other steps I can take now or in the spring.

Thanks

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Comments (2)

Kimmsr
9 years ago
Start with a good reliable soil test for soil pH and major nutrients.
How much organic matter is in that soil?
How well does that soil drain?
How well does that soil retain moisture?
What kind of critters, life, is in that soil?

You may still have time to spread some compost or a good organic plant food and getting the Soil Food Web active may well solve your thatch problem.
maplerbirch
9 years ago
I agree with kimmsr about the applications of organic material that may accelerate decomposition of the thatch material even under the snow.

I might also add that thatch may well decrease throughout the next growing season once turf is managed to prevent so much root growth above the soil line.

Is water able to percolate through the thatch layer very well at all?
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