The main cause of thatch is dead grass but other plant materials, pine needles, and so on contribute to making the layer of thatch… Fertilizer to help the Spread of St Augustine . Your lawn looks pretty good, I personally wouldn't mess with it b/c of perceived thatch issues. If you already have a few inches of thatch buildup, you can encourage decomposition by changing your maintenance practices. Covering many different lawn care topics relating to most aspects of lawn care practices for St Augustine grass lawns. If the turf seems to be growing directly in the soil and if the thatch is less than 1/2 inch thick, don’t use a dethatcher. Sydney has over 15 years of experience in lawn maintenance, landscape design, and organic gardening. It’s not nearly as damaging to the stolons, and your lawn will recover quicker. Oddly, dethatching St. Augustine grass is a hotly-debated question in the horticulture world. Using a rotary lawn mower, lower the mowing height so that … And on top of all of this, the water trapped inside the thatch will dramatically increase the risk of lawn diseases. Begin fertilizing 3 weeks after the grass turns green and whe… St Augustine dethatching solves will solve this issue. This layer of organic matter is caused by excessive mow clippings, leaves, and other debris that settle and rest on your lawn. Irrigate after dethatching. Dethatching is generally paired with a very low mowing height, but St. Augustine … Most sod-forming grasses spread through above-ground stolons and below-ground rhizomes. St Augustine lawn is made of thick above-ground stems with large open space between stems and a tall stiff canopy above the stems. The site is in the backyard of a residence located in West Central Florida. Should you power rake or de-thatch St Augustine grass? Timing … St. Augustine Grass in South Florida. The real question is: should you? St. Augustinegrass is a desirable turfgrass because of its shade tolerance and relatively low input requirements, but it has poor cold tolerance. It has resistance to chinch bugs. St. Augustine does not handle power-raking, but you can use a hand rake each spring to remove an unhealthy thatch layer. This contributes to thatch, a layer of build-up found just above the soil. Continue to mow after dethatching. This site is a participant in affiliate programs such as Amazon Associates and earns from qualifying purchases. Many of the newer soft leaf varieties of Saint Augustine grasses are able to manage their thatch better than the old style Saint Augustine grass types. Thatch is a layer of dead and living turfgrass that develops between your lawn and the actual soil. Over-fertilization is one of the biggest culprits in thatch build up. Use compost to topdress your lawn at the beginning and end of each growing season to improve texture. Floralawn: Has poor shade and cold tolerance; performs best in mild environments; Common Issues in St. Augustine Grass. The main concern after dethatching is root growth because healthy roots create healthy lawns. The total annual rate depends upon desired quality, length of the growing season, recovery from traffic and a number of other factors. This layer of organic matter is caused by … If not properly controlled and managed throughout the life of the Saint Augustine lawn, it will continue to raise and grow higher as the years progress. Therefore, if you use a power dethatcher, you will end up removing most of the top growth, which is how it spreads and fills in bare patches of soil. It's really no big deal, the grass will grow back, trust me, I know. So you must remove thatch from St Augustine grass. Use dethatching rakes, core aeration, and healthy maintenance practices to keep thatch at a manageable height. Removing thatch … Overgrown thatch is a common problem in St. Augustine grass lawns. Thatch is a layer of partially decomposed plant material that builds up on the soil’s surface. Floratam St. Augustine grass was found to be better than Common for the following reasons: It has resistance to SAD virus. Good morning,I have a customer who has st. Augustine grass. St. Augustine Grass St. Augustine grass is extremely popular in this country along the Gulf Coast, as well as in Hawaii. For tips on improving your soil, visit our articles on clay soil, alkaline soil, and using compost as a topdressing. Again, wait until your lawn has actively started growing. Specifically related to St Augustine you need to consider a few different variables. Soil pH problems can be another. 2016-05-11 . If it comes up easily, you can rake it into piles and remove it. Continue to irrigate deep and infrequent, but you may need to irrigate longer or decrease the amount of time between watering. St. Augustine Grass is susceptible to a type of fungus aptly called brown patch fungus. Continue to remove thatch until you can see the soil. It will be a machine or attachment that uses tines to pull thatch up from the surface. Floratam St. Augustine grass was released by the Florida and Texas Agricultural Experiment Stations in 1972 as a SAD virus and chinch bug resistant selection. A thin layer of dead plant material will help retain moisture, and as the leaves decompose, they return nutrients to the soil. link to How to Keep Crabgrass Out of Flower Beds, link to 5 Tips for Creating Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Flower Beds, Click here to learn the pros and cons of Pull-Behind Vs. Thatch is the decomposing layer of organic matter like grass shoots and stems … Lots of people with SA grass would happily trade their issues for your thatch… Be sure to read How To Clean Up After Dethatching: A Practical Guide. Thatch Management in St. Augustine Turf. De-thatching will not work because this process removes the entire top layer of thatch from the lawn, and requires the lawn to repair and regrow from its underground runners. Thatch is the decomposing layer of organic matter like grass shoots and stems that collects between the soil and your lawn’s grass blades, and it can choke your grass by limiting its access to necessary nutrients, air, and water. Although ½” of thatch is healthy in most lawns, the bottom ½” of a thick thatch layer will be compacted and too thick to break down quickly. Thatch is a layer of organic material, like stems and dead roots, that accumulates in a patch of grass. Thatch, a thick growth of decaying grass blades, needs removal if it has caused brown patches and is over 1/2-inch thick. Thatch is a very common of layer of decomposed plant material that shows up in turf grass such as Augustine grass. A thatch rake can be used during most of the growing season since it does not harm the stolons, but you still want to leave enough time for a small layer to build up before dormancy. Use the following tips to maintain thatch layer at a manageable height which will make your St Augustine grass green and lively. Nutrient Management . The thatch in Saint Augustine lawns has always been a concern for owners of this grass type. Rental Aerators). Dethatching St Augustine Grass Thatch is really a layer of partially decomposed plant material that builds up around the soil’s surface. Typically, much more than 1 half inch of thatch on basic turf regions decreases the turf vigor by restricting movement of air, water and fertilizers in to the soil. Your lawn has likely been starved for nutrients due to a thick thatch layer that acts as a filter. However, if not properly managed and controled, their thatch will also continue to thicken and increase its depth to unmanageable levels. Thatch is a layer of dead and living turfgrass that develops between your lawn and the actual soil. Here is the video mentioned where I talk about the growth habits also: https://youtu.be/HsBs_nmrQEo Apr 19, 2017 #1 I'm at a loss with my lawn, so please bare with me. Thatch can be an ongoing problem that keeps your lawn from living up to its potential. Dethatching Options. Bare soil is an open invitation for weed seeds. June 13, 2019. Although St. Augustine grass can be planted year-round in warmer regions of Florida, the best time to plant any warm-season grass is during its time of active growth for quickest establishment. What you might not realize is that encouraging your St. Augustine grass … However, if it’s deep and compacted, you may have to rake up what you can, and then go over the lawn again with a mower. Chinch bugs, grubs and worms may all be controlled by preventing excessive thatch, a layer of dead plant material between the soil and the top of the grass. Annual aeration can help manage thatch, but because St. Augustine does not have rhizomes, the aerator must be set to remove fewer cores so that it can fill in before summer. Delmar has a tendency to develop heavy thatch. Dethatching works best when the clippings are moist. St. Augustine thatch. Advantages & Disadvantages of St. Augustine Grass. When treating your lawn for fungus, avoid using nitrogen fertilizer, as it encourages fast growth. The thatch can restrict root development and create an attractive environment for insects and other pests. If you take off a considerable amount of top growth and cut the remaining growth to 1”, your lawn will have little chance for survival. If you cut through and remove a majority of the runners above ground, the grass will regenerate from the rhizomes down below. How do I know its time to dethach my St. Augustine grass? Unlike corporate website companies, the authors on this website regularly use many of the tips and recommendations provided in their own garden and lawncare. Thatching in Saint Augustine grass is discussed frequently on this site, and that’s mainly because it is a real trait which is prevalent in all St Augustine grasses that some people may like, while others may not prefer, this thatch is also inclusive of the new soft Saint Augustine grasses too. For top-dressing a St. … Note: this is not the same as a leaf rake: See Can You Dethatch A Lawn With A Leaf Rake? In south Florida, the optimal time for establishment is late fall, winter, or spring. Implement a soil-improvement plan after dethatching. Overgrown thatch is often characterized by large, unhealthy brown areas of the lawn. It looks like a light brown layer. Therefore, if you use a power dethatcher, you will end up removing most of the top growth, which is how it spreads and fills in bare patches of soil. Mar 06, 2015 • Filed Under: Lawn Care. As long as it does not get thicker than 1/2 of an inch, thatch actually contributes to a lawn health. Skip to content. If you have more than a half an inch of thatch, or … Thatch Removal: If a thatch layer becomes a problem, use a dethatcher or vertical mower to remove it. After dethatching, your lawn will be stressed and in shock. Comprised of leaves, stems and roots – some living, some dead – thatch forms as a natural part of turf’s growing process. Thatch in St. Augustine Grass. Augustine does not handle dethatching with a power rake, so it is important to mow frequently to prevent long grass clippings or clumps of grass. For the next several weeks, the grass will attempt to heal and fill in bare spots. Water once per week for 45 minutes – 1.5 hours, which will saturate the soil and keep thatch moist enough to decompose. Run the dethatcher across your lawn as you would a mower, and pick up the dislodged plant material. Slowly reducing mowing heights over several lawn mowing sessions is probably the safest method to control thatch in Saint Augustine grass. If the thatch is under 1/2” thick, it is actually beneficial for your lawn. St. Augustine grass is one of the most popular grasses used for lawns in South Florida. And You must know how to get rid of thatch from St Augustine grass. Thick thatch is a good habitat for insects and disease-causing agents. Its one… Show Show. Like compost, a thatch layer will only decompose if it is moist, warm, and aerated. Click Here to see the latest deals (link To Amazon). Power raking is quite labor-intensive, and large thatch layers generally sit on top of compacted soil. Treat for weeds after dethatching. A power rake will cut into the grass and down into the soil to break up thick layers of thatch. Q: We need to buy a lawn mower soon. I do not own a lawn service company, and none in my area seem to know what they are doing. Over-fertilization is one of the biggest culprits in thatch build up. Thatch buildup can either cause or was caused by, poor soil. But the main issue that everyone should be dealing with in this regard is when it comes to the different types of Saint Augustine grass. Thatch is accumulated organic matter that is persistent, meaning it doesn’t decompose as fast as it builds. More About. Here are tips for helping you to keep the St. Augustine grass in good shape Regular mowing It is important to be consistent with your mowing for this St. Augustine grass type than many other species. Dethatching: Too much thatch build-up can harm your St. Augustine grass anything over ½ inch spells trouble. De-thatching Can Harm Creeping Grasses Left to its own devices, St. Augustine grass … Various other problems can cause browning in St. Augustine grass. Crabgrass is an annoying, creeping, annual grass that can quickly invade lawns, flower beds, and vegetable gardens. Like; Save; lou_spicewood_tx. As beautiful as this grass is, it is still susceptible to brown patches that can appear in early spring and late fall. To try and revive your lawn, dethatch it to allow easy nutrient supply when feeding. St Augustine grass is one of several grasses that can create thatch. Mow your lawn short (some dethatchers come as attachments to your mower, so you can do it in one step). She has an A.A.S. St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is a warm weather, subtropical grass which can be found throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, western and southern Africa, the Caribbean, the Hawaiian Islands, and Oceania. When excessive, thatch causes serious problems in Florida lawns. Dethatching should be done once your lawn has broken dormancy and begun to actively grow. Other Topics On Saint Augustine Lawn Care, independent lawn care tips for saint augustine grass lawns, lawn mowing tips and tricks for all lawns, correct lawn watering for healthier grass, Saint Augustine Grass | Buffalo Grass | Stenotaphrum secundatum, What Makes St Augustine Grass Soft or Scratchy, Saint Augustine Lawn Mowing Heights In Shade, Preventing Lawn Disease in St Augustine Grass, Controling Crabgrass In Saint Augustine Lawns, Fertilize Lawns In Fall For Greener Lawns In Spring, Preparing Clay Soil For New St Augustine Lawn, Controling Seeding In Saint Augustine Grass, Controling St Augustine Thatch With Mowing, Lawns Turning Brown - Reasons and Solutions, Remove Excessive Shade For Better Lawn Health, Solutions To When An Entire Lawn Is Discolored, Solving Extreme Thatching In St Augustine Lawns, Why Does Saint Augustine Grass Develop Thatch. Fertilize after dethatching. Thatch is accumulated organic matter that is persistent, meaning it doesn’t decompose as fast as it builds. If an old Saint Augustine lawn has reached unmanageable heights in its thatch layer, there is simply nothing which can be done to remove the thatch while still keeping the lawn alive to regenerate itself again after thatch removal. Our goal is to increase this grass’ adaptability area by improving its cold tolerance. No Comments. P. phdibart LawnSite Member. usmc – posted 29 April 2009 05:19. Once your grass has grown enough to need to be mowed, it can handle dethatching. Dethatching: Too much thatch build-up can harm your St. Augustine grass anything over ½ inch spells trouble. A thatch layer provides protection against moisture evaporating from the soil. Rental Aerators, Can You Dethatch A Lawn With A Leaf Rake? Now that you have removed the thatch, the soil can absorb the nutrients that your lawn needs to grow. Now that you have removed that layer, water will evaporate very quickly until the new grass fills in. It's very difficult to thatch rake a St. Augustine lawn because of the above grown runners, so just about every other option has temporary consequenses. When St. Augustine grass suffers from this type of fungus, the movement of water and nutrients is unable to get to the roots of the grass, making its leaves turn yellow and die. Many homeowners will confuse this rot with take-all root rot because of the yellow coloring of the leaves. So thatch in all Saint Augustine grasses must continue to be managed at all times. Whatever you say. You could do the trimming at regular intervals, but the recommended frequency is once a week during the active months of growing. I'm hoping you guys do or someone does that's in my area. Overgrown thatch is often characterized by large, unhealthy brown areas of the lawn. Speaking of thatch, St. Augustine grass is one of the species that deals with thatch buildup, which often indicates either overwatering or over-fertilization. Thatch is not an on-going enemy like we’ve all heard. Legacy post . Floratam is a vigorous, coarse textured St. Augustine grass … A: Experts say that stray St. Augustine runners won't root in dry soil, compacted soil or too much thatch (the nondecomposed organic matter between the soil surface and the base of the blades). For St. Augustine, this will be in mid to late spring. It’s loved for its coarse blades and fast growth rate which helps prevent weeds from taking over. Thatch is acidic, so if needed, an application of agricultural limestone will help prevent the development of thatch … Use the hand rake to pull the thatch layer up to the surface. Soil pH problems can be another. However, you should be prepared to do some damage control. Difficult, and as the first step, then removed all build-up with blowe... 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