How to Stop Thatch Problems With Bermuda Grass
Bermuda grass is a popular choice for warm climates because it's hardy, drought-resistant and fast-growing. But those same benefits also make Bermuda grass prone to thatch problems. Thatch is a layer of decomposing grass and other organic matter that forms between grass stems and soil. While a little thatch can be healthy---providing insulation, nutrients and moisture---too much will begin to block nutrients, harbor pests and disease and appear clumpy. If thatch has overtaken your lawn, it's best to remove it and take steps to prevent future buildup. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Shovel or stick Measuring tape Lawn mower Garden hose or sprinklers Rake Dethatcher Slow-release turf fertilizer
Instructions
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Measuring Thatch
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There are two ways to measure thatch. If you don't mind uprooting a small patch of lawn, push a small shovel (such as a gardener's spade) a few inches into the ground and remove a core of lawn. Measure the brown thatch between the roots and grass blades.
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If you'd rather leave your lawn intact, push a stick (or a screwdriver) into the thatch until you hit soil. Hold a finger where the stick meets the surface of the thatch. With measuring tape, record the distance between your finger and the bottom of the stick.
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Thatch less than a ½-inch thick is a sign of a healthy lawn. Thatch that is more than ½-inch thick will begin to cause lawn deterioration and thus should be thinned.
Dethatching
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Wait until late spring or summer to dethatch, when Bermuda grass is in the best position to recover.
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Mow and water your lawn shortly before dethatching.
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If you have a small yard or a thin layer of thatch (right around a ½-inch, for example), you can dethatch manually with a metal rake. Vigorously rake through the grass to break up the thatch. When you're finished, rake up and remove the pulled-up pieces of thatch and grass.
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If your lawn is on the larger side---or you're not up to really breaking a sweat---rent a dethatcher. Most home improvement stores carry the machines, which use steel blades to easily cut through and break up thatch.
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Remove all items (such as garden hoses and furniture) from your lawn. Set the dethatcher at your desired level and speed.
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Push the dethatcher through your lawn as you would a push mower. After dethatching, use a rake to remove the pulled-up pieces of lawn.
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Fertilize and water your lawn. Reseed any bare patches that don't make a full recovery.
Preventing Thatch Buildup
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Mow frequently, as tall grass contributes to thatch buildup. Aim for keeping grass blades 3 inches tall.
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Avoid frequent, light watering, which increases thatch by encouraging grass to spread outward. Instead, water deeply every 2 to 3 days. Providing approximately 1/2-inch of water will saturate but not flood your lawn. However, since climates vary, it's important to make adjustments based on how your lawn reacts.
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Since Bermuda is a particularly nutrient-hungry grass, fertilize up to once a month during the growing season (May through August). You may also wish to fertilize one more time in the fall. Choose a slow-release turf fertilizer to avoid nitrogen overload, which contributes to thatch.
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Tips & Warnings
Never dethatch in fall, winter or early spring, when Bermuda grass is dormant and unable to recover.
Always read the manufacturer's manual or rental instructions before operating a dethatcher. Wear steel-toed boots and gloves while handling a mechanical dethatcher. Take care to avoid the sharp blades. Only use a dethatcher on surfaces that are grassy and either flat or only mildly-sloped.
Resources
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