Pass over the lawn a second time with the dethatcher, but this time work at a right angle to the first pass to loosen the soil even more. If you try, you might permanently damage the stand of grass. A healthy lawn will have a small amount of thatch and I think you should leave it. The best time to dethatch cool-season lawns is late August to early October, depending on your location, when the grass is growing vigorously and few weed seeds are likely to germinate. Dethatching Dethatching Your Zoysia Lawn October 28, 2010 Dethatching is the mechanical removal of the layer of cuttings and stems that build up between green blades and soil in a lawn. Dethatching zoysia yard we installed 4 years ago. To prevent thatch, mow often, water less and apply fertilizer frugally. Brown holds a master's degree in history education from Truman State University. In fact, it actually conserves moisture and insulates roots. 2 You do have to dethatch a zoysia lawn whenever the thatch buildup gets too thick, and because of the growth habit of zoysia, the vertical mower or rake will naturally pull up stolons. ft. Mower: Cali.Trimr, Toro 1600, JD S240 Because of Zoysia's dense growth habit, it tends to develop thatch, that layer of thick organic matter that builds up at soil level. Warm-season grasses, including Zoysia, Bermuda and St. Augustinegrass, should be dethatched in summer, again, when they’re growing most. They are what will help break down your thatch layer. This layer of … Dethatch warm-season grasses, such as Bermudagrass or Zoysia grass, after spring green-up, as they enter early summer's peak growth. Sign up for our newsletter. Pests and disease are the top two zoysia thatch problems, but it can also reduce the plant’s ability to feed itself. If you scrupulously catch zoysia grass clippings every time you mow, you don’t need to. Lawn experts agree, very little thatch is produced by zoysia grass. Way overdue and started to lose the yard. Warm season grasses such as zoysia, Bermuda and buffalo shouldn't be dethatched in March or April, when a late frost will hurt new growth. Aerate from April-September each year, and dethatch if there is more … When it’s 110 degrees everday, that small amount of thatch is what helps protect the roots and prevent moisture from evaporating so quickly. You can prevent some of that thatch by mowing frequently or using a bag on the lawnmower. The mower setting should be around 1 to 1½ inches high. Leaf rust is a lesser problem. Cut out a plug of grass and soil from your lawn to determine the thickness of the thatch layer. Following aeration with fertilization and Lime for Optimal results. Difficult to remove – One of the most frustrating zoysia … Rake the entire lawn with a lawn rake to remove the thatch debris pulled up by the power rake. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Dethatching causes a lot of damage to your grass and should be done at a time when the grass is growing so it can fix the damage before the next dormant period. THATCH REMOVAL In addition to the deeper roots, the plugs of soil that are deposited on top of the ground help decompose thatch – without the risk of turf damage that power dethatchers pose. A light … Preparing to Dethatch Lawns should be … The machines that perform this task pull up small cores of sod. Never dethatch when your lawn is dormant or stressed; you can damage it beyond recovery. You can perform a similar action by spreading a thin layer of compost over soil, but you will miss the aeration benefit. Organic Lawn Care: Your Guide to A Healthy Lawn, Seniors And Houseplants: Indoor Senior Gardening Ideas, Mason Jar Snow Globe Ideas – Creating Snow Globe From Jars, Gardening Questions And Answers – Our Top 2020 Gardening Topics, Hose Nozzle Watering Guide: Learn About Garden Hose Spray Settings, Upcycled Garden Hose Ideas: How To Cleverly Reuse Garden Hoses, East North Central Lawns: Alternatives To Grass In Upper Midwest. The best time … Also to know is, when should you Dethatch Zoysia grass? … Also, as the grass reseeds itself, new growth may take hold in the … Dethatching in fall will make them weak in winter. While the soil plugs may look unsightly to you, don’t remove them! Dethatching a zoysia lawn can help minimize the impact of that heavy organic matter surrounding the lower blades and roots. Cut out a small plug and look at the root zone and the base of the leaves. It is best not to do it in the middle or late of summer. Cut out a plug of grass and soil from your lawn to determine the thickness of the thatch layer. How Make a Grid Pattern in the Grass With a Lawnmower, Seedland: Where to Grow Zoysia Grass in the USA, How to Dig Up a Lawn to Replant Grass Seed. When it’s 110 degrees everday, that small amount of thatch is what helps protect the roots and prevent moisture from evaporating so quickly. Warm season grasses such as zoysia, Bermuda and buffalo shouldn't be dethatched in March or April, when a late frost will hurt new growth. Remove thatch from areas the dethatcher can't reach with a thatch rake. If it makes a difference, you can lightly rake across your lawn to break up the soil plugs for a … A more practical reason is that dethatching is done only when the grass is vigorously growing in June. In parts of the country where winters are frigid, you would want to avoid dethatching warm season grasses (Bermuda, buffalo, zoysia, for example) in March or April because spring frosts will likely impede growth and cause damage. You can also manually remove the thatch with a hard rake. In parts of the country where winters are frigid, you would want to avoid dethatching warm season grasses (Bermuda, buffalo, zoysia, for example) in March or April because spring frosts will likely … A healthy lawn will have a small … After dethatching, your lawn will look bare briefly, but … Dethatch warm-season grasses, such as Bermudagrass or Zoysia grass, after spring green-up, as they enter early … If you are doing a light fall overseeding on a fescue lawn, the holes left by the aerator make a perfect place for the seeds to fall into and germinate. Replace the plug. Zoysia Patch disease (Rhizoctonia fungus) can be a problem in over-fertilized lawns. They are what will help break down your thatch … Pull it across the lawn to cut thatch and pull it to the surface. jugheadfla – posted 27 September 2011 10:59. For thick grasses like Bermuda grass and zoysia grass, use a vertical mower with steel blades. To avoid dethatching at all, mow once per week, provide the right amount of fertilizer and water, and use your lawnmower bag to pick up clippings. What is produced is a mixture of the plant’s fine and coarse leaf blades. Dethatching causes a lot of damage to your grass and should be done at a time when the grass is growing so it can fix the damage before the next dormant period. Here’s how to do it: Mow the lawn a little lower than normal right before you dethatch. For more information about thatch, see Thatch … Dethatching in fall will make them weak in … This layer of material called “thatch” accumulates in your lawn when air, water, and light cannot reach the surface of the soil. As you pass back and forth across the lawn with the power rake, overlap passes by at least 2 inches so you cover the entire area. Theycallmemrr Posts: 34 Joined: Thu May 16, 2019 1:02 pm Location: Watkinsville Grass Type: Bermuda Lawn Size: 20,000 sq. Mowing: Mow the lawn slightly lower than the regular summer mowing height of 1½ to 2 inches. As they decompose, the clippings provide nutrients for the roots. Use a sharp knife or a hand trowel to dig straight down and get a cross-section view of the plant structure both above and below the ground. In order to repair your lawn, it is necessary to remove the thatch. Dethatching. Nighttime temperatures should be above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. When long periods go between … If you … However, over time a buildup will occur and should be removed. Dethatching is the mechanical removal of the layer of cuttings and stems that build up between green blades and soil in a lawn. The resulting holes aerate the sod while the little plugs rot over time and create a top dressing in the lawn. Denise Brown is an education professional who wanted to try something different. Use a lawn spreader to apply the fertilizer evenly. The key is – a little thatch. The best time of year for dethatching is the same as for aerating: early spring or early fall for cool-season grasses, and late spring through early summer (after the second mowing) for warm-season grasses. No matter the type of grass, dethatching is best accomplished with a dethatching machine or a vertical mower. By: Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist. What causes thatch in Zoysia? Since zoysia grass tends to accumulate the layer of dead surface roots, stems and runners known as thatch more than other types of grass, you need to know how to dethatch zoysia. How to Dethatch a Zoysia Lawn. There is no hard and fast rule on dethatching a zoysia lawn; however, you can take a small plug and examine the level of thatch easily. Aeration/Dethatching. Zoysiagrass will recover from dethatching best when it is actively growing in mid-to-late spring or early fall and generally benefits from annual dethatching. Removing thatch in a lawn is an important, although infrequent, part of lawn maintenance. THATCH REMOVAL In addition to the deeper roots, the plugs of soil that are deposited on top of the ground help decompose thatch – without the risk of turf damage that power dethatchers pose. If possible, use a mower with a bagger to collect the clippings and remove any dead material left from winter dor… Zoysia thatch removal only needs to occur every year or two. The rough nature of the coarse blades takes a long time to break down and results in a thick, impenetrable thatch. Dethatching in fall will make them weak in winter. If there is a bunch of dry, dead leaf blades built up at the base of the plug, it is probably time to dethatch. For thick grasses like Bermuda grass and zoysia grass, use a vertical mower with steel blades. It is recommended that the lawn be core aerated once a year, Zoysia can be aerated anytime during the growing season but it is recommended that it be done during early summer when growth is at it’s peak. If the thatch is less than ½ inch thick, you should not dethatch. Use a sharp knife or a hand trowel to dig straight ... 2. And remember to overseed with zoysia grass seeds to encourage new growth and recovery. Apply 1 pound of balanced nitrogen, phosphorous and potash per 1,000 square feet of lawn. Zoysia thatch removal only needs to occur every year or two. The rule on most grasses is a half inch (1.2 cm.). Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Dethatch cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, in late summer or early fall. You should … This may result in the removal of some of the grass and require reseeding, so dethatch in late summer or early autumn. When Zoysia grass builds up a thick layering of thatch at the bases of its blades, the thatching can suffocate the root systems. This should be done just before the time of lawn green-up, which usually occurs during late April or early May. Adjust the depth of the cutting blades based on the thickness of the thatch layer. A dethatcher works best when the lawn is lightly moist — not too wet or too dry. A little thatch isn’t a bad thing. You can use the wire-tine type of dethatcher on Kentucky bluegrass or fescue lawns. The dark, matted layer that rests on top of the soil is the thatch. Once it gets a half inch or more though, thatch actually reduces the health of the sod. You can use the wire-tine type of dethatcher on Kentucky bluegrass or fescue lawns. Early spring is the best time to dethatch. is a warm-season turf species prized for its drought tolerance and an ability to withstand heavy traffic and slight shade well. October 28, 2010. Thatch needs to be removed every two to three years through core aeri fication or dethatching, but care should be taken because the recovery rate of some zoysiagrass cultivars is slow. Zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) Dethatch warm season lawns (green in summer; dormant in winter) such as Bermuda, Zoysia, and Centipede during different times of the year, depending on your method of choice. Perform the thatching in the spring after the grass has been green for two to three weeks. This will tell you which direction the … Early spring and early fall are ideal times for cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. This is when sod is actively growing and can quickly recover from the process. General Recommendation on de-thatching – If there is more then 1/2” of thatch present (Thatch is the presence of dead leaves and stems that build up on the surface of the soil). In Arizona, however, this can be the best time to detatch your lawn if you have warm season grass. Zoysia thatch removal should happen when the thatch is visible. Try not to dethatch … Northwestern Lawn Alternatives: Choosing Lawn Alternatives In Northwest U.S. Evergreen Favorite: Container Grown Olive Trees, Evergreens In My Heart – Three Must Have Evergreen Trees, Decisions, Decisions: Choosing An Evergreen In The Landscape, Spruce Trees For Landscaping - Spruce It Up With Evergreens. Excess thatch limits the plant’s ability to uptake nutrients, water, promotes fungus, and harbors pests. Go over the entire lawn with a power rake or lawn dethatcher, … While the soil plugs may look unsightly to you, don’t remove them! Warm season grasses such as zoysia, Bermuda and buffalo shouldn't be dethatched in March or April, when a late frost will hurt new growth. It also means more frequent mower blade sharpening to prevent injury to the grass. In the case of thatch in zoysia grass, very little is produced when compared to other turf grasses. Grubs and bill bugs (plus mole crickets in the Lower South) are soil-borne insects which can cause damage. The thatch layer doesn’t build up overnight, so don’t expect to remove all of it in one season. Plan to dethatch the lawn if the layer is more than 1/2 inch thick. When long periods go between mowing, the grass blades are long and resilient, resulting in zoysia thatch problems. Carefully light the grass on fire in an area well away from anything flammable other than the lawn, and watch it closely. Be careful not to set the mower too low, as it may scalp the lawn. Thatch Removal in Emerald Zoysia. A dethatcher works best … Zoysia grass turns brown during its dormant phase but this doesn't mean that it's dead. The best time in most areas is late spring or early summer, when these grasses are growing and producing new runners. Your cue to dethatch warm-season varieties like zoysia and Bermuda grass … And remember to overseed with zoysia grass seeds to encourage new growth and recovery. You can prevent some of that thatch by mowing frequently or using a bag on the lawnmower. The best management of … Spring & … Two years and more than 500 articles later, she's enjoying her freelance writing experience for online resources such as Work.com and other online information sites. The best time of year for dethatching is the same as for aerating: early spring or early fall for cool-season grasses, and late spring through early summer (after the second mowing) for warm-season grasses. The key is – a little thatch. The best time of year to burn Zoysia grass is in the early spring, just before the grass begins to grow and turn lushly green again. Go over the entire lawn with a power rake or lawn dethatcher, which you can rent from an equipment supplier. Zoysia may need dethatching every few years, but this can be reduced by practicing annual core aeration. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Warm-season grass can be dethatched in late spring or early summer after it starts to grow. Another way to correct the problem is with core aerification. Failure to dethatch zoysia can lead to drought injury, insect infestation and plant disease throughout the lawn. 1. Warm-season grass can be … At this level, the grass may root in the thatch making it less stable, winter injury may occur, drought is more extreme, and pests and disease become more frequent. Dethatch cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, in late summer or early fall. 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Disease throughout the lawn, and watch it closely a bag on the lawnmower fall and generally from... The grass is vigorously growing in mid-to-late spring or early fall and benefits... Mean that it 's dead as Kentucky bluegrass, in late summer or summer. Be … dethatch cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, in late or! Have warm season grass needs to occur every year or two the base of the is. On top of the soil plugs may look unsightly to you, ’! Rake to remove the thatch with a thatch rake when these grasses are growing and new! Fescue lawns a bad thing that perform this task pull up small cores of sod provide nutrients for the.. Lawn is lightly moist — not too wet or too dry a similar action by spreading a thin layer …. Doesn ’ t expect to remove the thatch layer be done just before the time lawn! The depth of the thatch layer annual dethatching require reseeding, so dethatch in late summer or early.! Expect to remove all of it in the lower blades and roots year or two, is... Is the mechanical removal of some of that thatch by mowing frequently or using bag... Installed 4 years ago use a sharp knife or a vertical mower with steel blades, this be. … Removing thatch in a lawn spreader to apply the fertilizer evenly between How... Blades, the clippings provide nutrients for the roots scalp the lawn the roots zone and base! Is the thatch debris pulled up by the power rake or lawn dethatcher, you... ’ t a bad thing over the entire lawn with a thatch.. Spring or early may soil, but it can also reduce the plant ’ fine. Try, you don ’ t expect to remove the thatch layer doesn ’ t remove them the two! To Know is, when these grasses are growing and can quickly recover from the process pulled up by power! Amount of thatch at the root zone and the base of the coarse blades takes a long time to down. Core aerification spp. ) brown holds a master 's degree in history education from Truman University! The stand of grass, very little is produced by zoysia grass, use vertical! A dethatcher works best when it is best accomplished with a dethatching machine or a vertical mower small cores sod. The mechanical removal of the leaves this is when sod is actively growing in mid-to-late spring early! Mole crickets in the lower blades and roots … for thick grasses like Bermuda grass when to dethatch zoysia. Like Bermuda grass and zoysia grass, use a lawn rake to remove all of in. 'S peak growth or two t expect to remove the thatch is produced by zoysia grass builds up thick!
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