Getting Rid Of Lawn Thatch And Common Weeds

Unfortunately, weeds happen.  So does thatch.  Neither makes for a pretty lawn, and both are frustrating and annoying to the avid gardener.  The good news is that both problems are curable, and with a bit of extra work you’ll have your lawn back to full health in no time!

What is Thatch?

Thatch is simply the layer of dead grass, rhizomes and other organic matter between the soil’s surface and the green grass you can see from above.  A small amount of thatch won’t hurt the lawn, in fact, it is often beneficial. However, if the dead material builds up at a much faster rate than it can decompose, it will cause problems: water and air can’t get to the soil, grass may die off and the lawn feels too spongy underfoot.

Dethatching

Dethatching is the process of removing the thatch layer from your lawn… and no, it’s not a pretty business, but give it a month or two and your lawn will look better than ever!  Use a thatch rake to pull out the dead material, raking it only one way so as not to disturb the roots of the grass.  The rake will dig into the soil a little and prepare it soil for fresh seeding.  Once you are satisfied that you have ripped out enough of the thatch, use a leaf rake to gather it up then dispose of it appropriately.

After dethatching, reseed your lawn and give it a dose of fertilizer… then sit back, wait a while and enjoy the results!

Weeds in the Lawn

Unlike thatch, weeds are obvious, and they’re ugly.  However, thankfully there are several easy ways to deal with them:

1. Remove by Hand

Depending on the type of weeds and the size of your lawn, you may choose to remove weeds by hand. For small yards, this is a good option.  A weeding tool can make your task a lot easier (and also save your hands a bit of the hard work).

2. Chemical Sprays

There are plenty of chemical sprays on the market to help you rid your grass of weeds.  Mix and apply chemicals strictly in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, and re-apply if necessary.

3. Heat or Gas

Portable gas torches or Flamers are a more eco-friendly method of killing weeds.  When used correctly, this treatment is very effective.

Weed Prevention

Following weed treatment, there are several things you can do to help protect your lawn from re-infestation:

• Re-seed – if there are bare spots in your lawn, you can be sure that a weed of some sort will take up residence there, so it’s important to maintain a thick, lush lawn
• Don’t over-water – some weeds thrive in soggy soil so back of the amount you are giving your lawn to drink
• Fertilize – a healthy, well-fed lawn is less likely to be invaded by weeds

For more tips on preventing weeds and thatch in your lawn, talk to the friendly team at Greener Lawns on 1800 473 363.  We understand the challenges of maintaining perfect grass, and we’d love to share our advice and support.