Is your lawn feeling spongy, patchy, or just not performing at its best? You might be dealing with lawn thatch—a common issue that can hold your lawn back. Let’s explore what thatch is, why it matters, and how you can manage it effectively using both traditional methods and innovative products like Thatchzyme.
What is Lawn Thatch?
Thatch is a layer of dead grass, roots, and organic matter that builds up between the green grass and the soil. While a thin layer is normal, too much thatch can block water, nutrients, and air from reaching your lawn’s roots.
Signs of Thatch Problems:
- Spongy grass underfoot
- Water pooling or slow drainage
- Patchy or thinning areas, especially in buffalo lawns.
Why Excess Thatch is a Problem
Too much thatch can suffocate your lawn, encourage pests, and make lawn repair more difficult—particularly for buffalo varieties, which are prone to thatch build-up. Left unchecked, you may need frequent and intensive lawn renovations to restore your turf.
Proven Ways to Manage Thatch
1. Lawn Scarification
Physically removes the thatch layer using a scarifier or dethatching rake. This opens up the lawn and allows better penetration of air and nutrients.
2. Aerate Lawn & Lawn Coring
Aeration (solid tine) and lawn coring (hollow tine) create holes in the soil, breaking up compaction, with hollow tine removing thatch.
3. Topdressing
Applying a thin layer of sand or soil after scarifying or aerating can help dilute remaining thatch and smooths the lawn surface.
4. Lawn Renovation
For severe cases, a full lawn renovation—combining scarification, aeration and topdressing—may be required.
Thatchzyme: Support for Easier, Less Frequent Renovations
While mechanical methods like scarification and coring are essential for tackling heavy thatch, they can be disruptive and time-consuming. Thatchzyme is designed to work alongside these traditional methods—not as a replacement, but as a powerful support tool.
How Thatchzyme Helps:
- Accelerates natural thatch breakdown, removal of the linin outer coating helps thatch breakdown.
- Reduces the need for frequent renovations by keeping thatch levels in check between major interventions.
- Safe for all lawn types, including buffalo.
- Makes ongoing lawn repair and maintenance easier and more effective.
How to Use Thatchzyme:
- Apply Thatchzyme at 25-50ml per 100m2, use the higher rate where thatch is excessive.
- Water in to place the enzymes into the thatch layer.
- Re-apply monthly during the growing season, September through to March.
Pro tip: Using high microbe fertilisers like MP Origin and Lawnganics Roots can help increase digestion and improve results.
Conclusion
Don’t let thatch force you into constant renovations! By combining proven mechanical methods with Thatchzyme, you can keep your lawn healthy, reduce the frequency of disruptive renovations, and enjoy a lush, resilient lawn year-round.
Ready to make lawn care easier? Discover how Thatchzyme can support your next renovation and keep thatch under control!
