Lawn thatch looks unsightly and affects plants and soil. But not every lawn is prone to matting. If the thatch has spread, you should gently renew the lawn.
How can I repair my lawn without digging?
To repair a lawn without digging, you should first cut the lawn back to 4 cm, fertilize and then mow deeply. Then scarify the area in longitudinal and transverse rows, remove residue, level the ground and sow new seeds. Finally, apply compost and water thoroughly.
What the lawn thatch does
Lawn thatch is made up of dead and partly living plant parts and roots. In the initial stages, this layer can be a few millimeters thick and can reach a thickness of up to two centimeters. This carpet lies over the soil layer and changes the air and water balance of the soil. Since the lawn thatch acts like a sponge and absorbs moisture, it offers mosses optimal living conditions. The rooted soil hardly receives any water. The moisture evaporates from the cushion as soon as the sun shines on it.
The grass roots no longer grow horizontally into the ground, but rather they develop flatly in the top layer of soil. Some of them grow into the felt layer in search of moisture. A shallow root system develops, which reacts sensitively to fluctuations in the water balance. Even short periods of water deprivation cause problems for the shallow-rooted grasses. Their shear strength decreases and the lawn reacts more and more sensitively to foot traffic.
Types of grass and the degree of matting
A lawn with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) has little tendency to matting. This competitive grass rarely requires scarification. Lawns with meadow panicle (Poa pratensis) or red fescue (Festuca rubra) are more affected by thatch. Thatch most often occurs in sown with bentgrass (Agrostis). The lawns in home gardens consist largely of the very densely growing Poa species.
Scarifying instead of digging up
If lawn renovation is necessary, you should avoid completely digging it up. Digging is the last resort to restore a garden that has been destroyed or overgrown by voles. The soil layers are deeply redeployed, which leads to stress for the sensitive soil organisms. Scarifying offers a gentle alternative and is ideal for renewing the lawn.
Advantages of scarifying:
- Improving air and water balance
- Loosening the upper substrate layer
- Protection of the deeper soil layers
Renew the lawn
Cut the lawn back to four centimeters and fertilize the area. This prepares the old stock for the upcoming disruptions. If the lawn has grown tall after fertilization, mow it as low as possible. Set the scarifier so low that the blades cut easily into the ground. Use a powerful scarifier (€118.00 on Amazon) from the hardware store. The result is not satisfactory with hand-operated garden tools.
Run the scarifier over the entire area in lengthwise and crosswise rows until the felt has completely loosened. Remove the residue completely and level the ground for reseeding. The seeds must be distributed evenly over the lawn and pressed lightly. Add a thin layer of compost to the area and ensure thorough watering.
