What the THATCH?!

[Swimbait2009]

So what is thatch in the lawn exactly? My lawn has what kind of looks like dead grass matted underneath the green grass. A little work with the bamboo rake gathers it up, but it does bring a couple green blades with it. Not much green grass at all, but I want to make sure I'm not going to damage my lawn, or that I'm not wasting my time, by getting this stuff out of there. Thanks all!

[hotrod1]

Thatch is a layer of dead or decaying organic matter between soil and turfgrass or grass stems, roots, grass clippings that settle on the ground and can slowly decompose or get thicker. A half inch of thatch is good because it can help hold moisture nd cool the grass when hot out. Too much thatch can keep water from getting to the roots. you should be fine raking as you are this time of year.

http://www.lifeandlawns.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/thatch-plug.jpg

[LwnmwnMan2]

Yes, if you don't have 1-2" thick thatch problem, you don't have a problem.

You CAN have some dead grass on top of your soil and still be fine.

[Powerstroke]

Thatch is free fertilizer. It also traps moisture and keeps the soil cooler. Its not all bad. As Lwnmn, said, unless its excessive don't worry.

If you take a shovel, cut in and tip the grass up. You should be able to find the dirt line, the layer of dead material and then you'll get into the actual growing grass. If the layer of dead stuff is up to 1" you're fine.