The thatch in Saint Augustine lawns has always been a concern for owners of this grass type. A very thick thatch can hinder your St. Augustine grass from growing quickly, as the stolons need room to spread and breath – also just above the soil. Most thatch is from dead grass clippings that build up throughout the summer, but dead leaves, pine needles, and other plant material can contribute to a thatch layer. Use the following tips to maintain thatch layer at a manageable height which will make your St Augustine grass green and lively. No, lowering your mower to cut thatch will not work – the St. Augustine stolons have been pushed to the surface – you will just hack off all of the growing points, leaving behind a largely dead lawn. 1 of 3 Go to page. Covering many different lawn care topics relating to most aspects of lawn care practices for St Augustine grass lawns. After dethatching, your lawn will be stressed and in shock. Irrigate your lawn the day before you rake. Its one… Show Show. It is this mat of stems and stiff canopy that is often – and wrongly – called thatch. The best soil for St. Augustine grass is one that is well-drained (like sandy soil) with pH ranges from 5.0 to 8.5. St. Augustine Thatch or What? Thatch is a layer of dead and living turfgrass that develops between your lawn and the actual soil. Some fast-growing grasses like St. Augustine grass and Kentucky bluegrass are more prone to thatch than other varieties, especially when grown in compacted or heavy clay soil. 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. St Augustine – Dethatching. Irrigate your lawn deeply the day before dethatching to help break up tough layers. Overgrown thatch is a common problem in St. Augustine grass lawns. 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. Mar 06, 2015 Lawn Care. Saint Augustine does not have underground runners, and if the top layer of living grass were to be removed, only the old dead thatch would be left in its place, and the lawn would be finished. 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). Most sod-forming grasses spread through above-ground stolons and below-ground rhizomes. The thatch can restrict root development and create an attractive environment for insects and other pests. Dethatching should be done once your lawn has broken dormancy and begun to actively grow. You really can't kill St. Augustine grass in Florida. Good morning,I have a customer who has st. Augustine grass. If you already have a few inches of thatch buildup, you can encourage decomposition by changing your maintenance practices. The key to a thriving yard is healthy soil. It has since been observed to be the most drought tolerant St. Augustine & brown patch tolerant. Soil pH problems can be another. St Augustine lawn is made of thick above-ground stems with large open space between stems and a tall stiff canopy above the stems. St. Augustine is a sod-forming grass, but it doesn’t have rhizomes. St. Augustine grass is a popular warm-season grass in the south that makes a great turf grass for your lawns. Don’t let your time spent dethatching go to waste by allowing broadleaf weeds to take over. Skip to content. Like; Save; lou_spicewood_tx. Dethatching: Too much thatch build-up can harm your St. Augustine grass anything over ½ inch spells trouble. It’s loved for its coarse blades and fast growth rate which helps prevent weeds from taking over. Over-fertilization is one of the biggest culprits in thatch build up. Mow every 5-14 days to maintain the proper height. Compacted soil will make it difficult for dead plant material to break down and incorporate into the topsoil, so take a moment after dethatching to collect some soil samples and get a soil test at your local extension office. Of course, it’s possible to dethatch any lawn. St. Augustine is a thick turf that can create thatch, a layer of dead grass and other organic matter that settles just above the surface of soil. Dethatching works best when the clippings are moist. St. Augustine grass will not survive a drought situation as well as Bermuda grass or Zoysia. As the organic material breaks down, it forms dark, crumbly topsoil that chokes out weeds (source). Use a bag to collect the clippings and loose thatch. But, most people don’t recognize a thatch problem until it is severely restricting growth. Thriving Yard is an affiliate for companies including Amazon Associates and earn a commission on qualifying purchases. Mow your lawn short (some dethatchers come as attachments to your mower, so you can do it in one step). Dethatching is generally paired with a very low mowing height, but St. Augustine struggles if it’s cut under 2.5”. Floratam is a vigorous, coarse textured St. Augustine grass … Thatch is the decomposing layer of organic matter like grass shoots and stems … 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. 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. For top-dressing a St. … It's really no big deal, the grass will grow back, trust me, I know. Treating St. Augustine Grass Fungus. Thatch Management in St. Augustine Turf. St. Augustine does not handle power-raking, but you can use a hand rake each spring to remove an unhealthy thatch layer. Thatch in St. Augustine Grass. This leads to lack of water for the grass which still has roots inside the soil, and also causes the water to evaporate much quicker. Thatch is a layer of organic material, like stems and dead roots, that accumulates in a patch of grass. You may even be able to avoid renting a power dethatcher after a growing season of healthy upkeep. Most hardware stores use “dethatcher” and “power rake” interchangeably, so make sure you don’t accidentally rent a power rake when you’re looking for a dethatcher. During dormancy, St. Augustine grass will cease growing almost completely and aboveground growth … If you still see more than ½” of thatch, use the machine again perpendicular to your first passes. When excessive, thatch causes serious problems in Florida lawns. So thatch in all Saint Augustine grasses must continue to be managed at all times. Apr 19, 2017 #1 I'm at a loss with my lawn, so please bare with me. Examples provided of tested products are actual products owned, tested, and used regularly by the author. Using a de-thatcher when it is not needed can hurt the grass more than it helps. Q: We need to buy a lawn mower soon. Continue to irrigate deep and infrequent, but you may need to irrigate longer or decrease the amount of time between watering. Welcome to Saint Augustine Lawn Care. 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. Legacy post . However, you should be prepared to do some damage control. Use the hand rake to pull the thatch layer up to the surface. Timing … How do I know its time to dethach my St. Augustine grass? 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. Some fast-growing grasses like St. Augustine grass and Kentucky bluegrass are more prone to thatch than other varieties, especially when grown in compacted or heavy clay soil. Implement a soil-improvement plan after dethatching. 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. Delta Shade: As the name states, this grass has a good shade tolerance. Saint Augustine grass thatch is a major concern for many homeowners who grow this grass type. Dethatching is generally paired with a very low mowing height, but St. Augustine … The main cause of thatch is dead grass but other plant materials, pine needles, and so on contribute to making the layer of thatch… In short, once the lawn reaches this state, it will always look pale and in poor health, and in many cases there will be nothing which can be done to repair the problem. Thatch Removal: If a thatch layer becomes a problem, use a dethatcher or vertical mower to remove it. So, most professionals advise against dethatching to prevent needing to completely replace your lawn. Fertilize after dethatching. Specifically related to St Augustine you need to consider a few different variables. Bare soil is an open invitation for weed seeds. Don’t worry- even if you have a sizable thatch buildup, there are ways to remove it without completely destroying your lawn. In south Florida, the optimal time for establishment is late fall, winter, or spring. If you have seen my previous blog, you will recognize this site. Be sure to read How To Clean Up After Dethatching: A Practical Guide. Dethatching Options, How To Clean Up After Dethatching: A Practical Guide. Overgrown thatch is often characterized by large, unhealthy brown areas of the lawn. (sort-of) 3. So Let’s know all of the tips for getting rid of thatch in St Augustine grass. Whatever you say. As the height of the Saint Augustine lawn thatch increases, it will continue to grow new runners and leaf on top of the old dead or still living runners, continually increasing its thatch height. The total annual rate depends upon desired quality, length of the growing season, recovery from traffic and a number of other factors. I do not own a lawn service company, and none in my area seem to know what they are doing. For tips on improving your soil, visit our articles on clay soil, alkaline soil, and using compost as a topdressing. As the height of the Saint Augustine lawn thatch increases, it will continue to grow new runners and leaf on top of the old dead or still living runners, continually increasing its thatch … 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. RELATED: St Augustine Grass Seed Doesn't Exist | Best Alternatives. Advantages & Disadvantages of St. Augustine Grass. 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. There are two machines that you can rent for dethatching:  a dethatcher, and a power rake. Thatch is an excellent habitat for insect pests and disease, makes mowing difficult, and reduces air and water flow in the lawn. Unlike corporate website companies, the authors on this website regularly use many of the tips and recommendations provided in their own garden and lawncare. November 28, 2012 // 0. Thatch is an almost impenetrable mat of tangled, intertwined grass and other material on the ground surface. Thatch is a layer of partially decomposed plant material that builds up on the soil’s surface. Use dethatching rakes, core aeration, and healthy maintenance practices to keep thatch at a manageable height. It is vulnerable to chinch bug attacks which can destroy your lawn rather quickly and is difficult to control unless immediately treated. Go. Mar 06, 2015 • Filed Under: Lawn Care. Generally the easiest method to remove a heavily thatched Saint Augustine lawn will be to bring in a small digging machine to dig the grass out and remove the lawn waste material. The recommended depth to water St. Augustine grass is 4- 6 inches. It is superior to Texas common St. Augustine grass in its tolerance to downy mildew, gray leaf spot diseases and brown patch fungus. Using a rotary lawn mower, lower the mowing height so that … St. Augustine Grass is susceptible to a type of fungus aptly called brown patch fungus. Recommended Next Read: Will St. Augustine Choke Out Bermuda Grass? St. Augustine grass provides a lush green lawn and is recommended for U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. Delmar has a tendency to develop heavy thatch. A power rake is the most aggressive dethatching machine, and it will probably destroy your St. Augustine lawn. However, if you look closely, you will see that the roots will not turn dark brown or black in color. A thatch layer provides protection against moisture evaporating from the soil. And on top of all of this, the water trapped inside the thatch will dramatically increase the risk of lawn diseases. Lush, colorful flower beds increase curb appeal while attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. If your St. Augustine turf is dying because of poor soil quality, the solution is … St. Augustine Grass in South Florida. See Can You Dethatch St. Augustine Grass… Nitrogen fertilizer application on St. Augustine can range from 3 to 5 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year. Treat for weeds after dethatching. usmc – posted 29 April 2009 05:19. 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. This will deprive the new grass of both nutrients from the soil as well as a reliable water supply. Your lawn has likely been starved for nutrients due to a thick thatch layer that acts as a filter. Get your lawn off to the best start by beginning preventative maintenance and providing the nutrition your grass needs to heal. 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. When treating your lawn for fungus, avoid using nitrogen fertilizer, as it encourages fast growth. In the case of insects, the Southern chinch bug is the most economically important pest affecting St. … Rental Aerators). It is also best to avoid temperature extremes if possible, especially if freezing temperatures are forecast. Thatch is the layer of dead plant material that settles on top of the soil. After dethatching, put down a pre-emergent weed killer to make sure weeds seeds can’t germinate while the St. Augustine fills back in. If your lawn has a substantial thatch buildup (more than a few inches) it may be time to start over. It’s not nearly as damaging to the stolons, and your lawn will recover quicker. As beautiful as this grass is, it is still susceptible to brown patches that can appear in early spring and late fall. St. Augustine grass is semi-drought tolerant, and does best when watering is done only as needed. 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. Thatch A power rake will cut into the grass and down into the soil to break up thick layers of thatch. Thatch is an excellent … June 13, 2019. Thread starter phdibart; Start date Apr 19, 2017; 1; 2; 3; Next. 13 years ago. Dethatching Options. Use compost to topdress your lawn at the beginning and end of each growing season to improve texture. Eventually, in some lawns, the Saint Augustine thatch can become so thick that the roots of the new runners will no longer reach the soil, and will grow inside the old thatch instead. Removing thatch … Overgrown thatch is often characterized by large, unhealthy brown areas of the lawn. The real question is: should you? Rental Aerators, Can You Dethatch A Lawn With A Leaf Rake? St. Augustine thatch. A small amount of thatch can be beneficial as it gives the turf and soil nutrients as it breaks down, but too much thatch will prevent your soil from receiving air and moisture from rain or watering. Fertilizer to help the Spread of St Augustine . You could do the trimming at regular intervals, but the recommended frequency is once a week during the active months of growing. Click Here to see the latest deals (link To Amazon). When excessive, thatch causes serious problems in Florida lawns. It is vigorous, establishes a ground cover rapidly, and has superior color. It looks like a light brown layer. Thatch is a layer of organic material, like stems and dead roots, that accumulates in a patch of grass. To keep your thatch layer at a manageable height, use the following maintenance practices: Use a deep, infrequent irrigation schedule. Power raking is quite labor-intensive, and large thatch layers generally sit on top of compacted soil. A thick accumulation of thatch in St. Augustine grass can cause suffocation and the slow death of grass. 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. St. Augustine Grass St. Augustine grass is extremely popular in this country along the Gulf Coast, as well as in Hawaii. P. phdibart LawnSite Member. St. Augustine grass will go dormant during winter if soil temperatures go down to 55℉ (12℃) and lower. 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. If the thatch is under 1/2” thick, it is actually beneficial for your lawn. 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. Speaking of thatch, St. Augustine grass is one of the species that deals with thatch buildup, which often indicates either overwatering or over-fertilization. Once your grass has grown enough to need to be mowed, it can handle dethatching. Thatch is acidic, so if needed, an application of agricultural limestone will help prevent the development of thatch and reduce soil acidity. If thatch is a consistent problem, try bagging your lawn clippings every other time you mow, which will help keep thatch at a manageable thickness. A small site where one man shares his love for and knowledge of Saint Augustine grass lawns. 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. It leads to shallow roots and winter kill. Remove some of the soil from the lawn around the thatch by using a … Brown patch fungus unsurprisingly causes large brown patched in the lawn. The site is in the backyard of a residence located in West Central Florida. Making the problem worse is when much of the water which is applied to the lawn no longer reaches into the soil and instead stays trapped inside the thatch layer. We removed it, leaving the vine-like roots exposed, all over the lawn. Many homeowners will confuse this rot with take-all root rot because of the yellow coloring of the leaves. There are two settings for a power rake:  a wide setting for bunch grass, and a narrow setting for sod-forming grass. The lawn was very thick with dead clippings (2″)or so. St Augustine grass is one of several grasses that can create thatch. Improve soil quality. Should you power rake or de-thatch St Augustine grass? If you have more than a half an inch of thatch, or … No Comments. The main difference between a dethatcher and a power rake is that a dethatcher is for prevention, while a power rake is a solution. Your lawn looks pretty good, I personally wouldn't mess with it b/c of perceived thatch issues. 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. Zoysia grass was mowed at 2.25 inches. A dethatcher is less aggressive, and is the best machine for St. Augustine. Field Thatch Layer. This layer of organic matter is caused by excessive mow clippings, leaves, and other debris that settle and rest on your lawn. The thatch layer in St Augustine grass is one in every of its greatest drawbacks. Run the dethatcher across your lawn as you would a mower, and pick up the dislodged plant material. Breeding for cold tolerance. Once a Saint Augustine lawn reaches this state in its life - it must be accepted by the homeowner that some Saint Augustine lawns may have a limited lifespan, and once that lifespan has been reached, it will be time to remove the lawn completely and plant a new lawn in its place. 2016-05-11 . Thatch, a thick growth of decaying grass blades, needs removal if it has caused brown patches and is over 1/2-inch thick. 2. A soil test will tell you what your soil pH is. Continue to remove thatch until you can see the soil. The thatch in Saint Augustine lawns has always been a concern for owners of this grass type. I'm hoping you guys do or someone does that's in my area. For St. Augustine, this will be in mid to late spring. If you cut through and remove a majority of the runners above ground, the grass will regenerate from the rhizomes down below. This site is planted with the warm season grass Stenotaphrum secundatum, or St. Augustinegrass. More About. 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. Begin fertilizing 3 weeks after the grass turns green and whe… Saint Augustine thatch gets very high over time and especially when its not managed properly. As long as it does not get thicker than 1/2 of an inch, thatch actually contributes to a lawn health. Sydney has over 15 years of experience in lawn maintenance, landscape design, and organic gardening. Thatch buildup can either cause or was caused by, poor soil. 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. Brown patch fungus … Nutrient Management . Lots of people with SA grass would happily trade their issues for your thatch… Overgrown thatch is a common problem in St. Augustine grass lawns. Thatch is not an on-going enemy like we’ve all heard. Your grass will also be absorbing fertilizer and putting a lot of energy into new growth, so it will use more water than normal. Again, wait until your lawn has actively started growing. It is such a prolific nuisance that there are multiple sprays and chemical control... 5 Tips for Creating Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Flower Beds. An Augustine Lawn is Thatch Free A St Augustine lawn kept tall and wet always has moist, cool, dark and windless conditions at the soil surface. A little amount of thatch is okay but a lot of thatch is not good for St Augustine grass. 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. Various other problems can cause browning in St. Augustine grass. Thatch is acidic, so if needed, an application of agricultural limestone will help prevent the development of thatch … Delmar: A dwarf St. Augustine grass that has good shade tolerance, but does well in full sun too. Dethatching St Augustine Grass Thatch is really a layer of partially decomposed plant material that builds up around the soil’s surface. Thatch can be an ongoing problem that keeps your lawn from living up to its potential. 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. Mow St. Augustine to 2” so the thatch is easier to access. Dethatching: Too much thatch build-up can harm your St. Augustine grass anything over ½ inch spells trouble. In fact, Saint Augustine thatch can easily reach heights of up to 10 or 15 inches after many years. It should be cut to 3 or 4 inches, cutting too much will cause it to thin, while taking off too little results in thatch. For the next several weeks, the grass will attempt to heal and fill in bare spots. The layer of dead plants that stay on top of the soil is called thatch. The main concern after dethatching is root growth because healthy roots create healthy lawns. 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. Thatch is a very common of layer of decomposed plant material that shows up in turf grass such as Augustine grass. 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