when to dethatch zoysia

Northwestern Lawn Alternatives: Choosing Lawn Alternatives In Northwest U.S. Evergreen Favorite: Container Grown Olive Trees, Evergreens In My Heart – Three Must Have Evergreen Trees, Decisions, Decisions: Choosing An Evergreen In The Landscape, Spruce Trees For Landscaping - Spruce It Up With Evergreens. Early spring is the best time to dethatch. Perform the thatching in the spring after the grass has been green for two to three weeks. Dethatching in fall will make them weak in winter. Dethatch warm season lawns (green in summer; dormant in winter) such as Bermuda, Zoysia, and Centipede during different times of the year, depending on your method of choice. The dark, matted layer that rests on top of the soil is the thatch. is a warm-season turf species prized for its drought tolerance and an ability to withstand heavy traffic and slight shade well. When long periods go between mowing, the grass blades are long and resilient, resulting in zoysia thatch problems. Warm season grasses such as zoysia, Bermuda and buffalo shouldn't be dethatched in March or April, when a late frost will hurt new growth. Lawn experts agree, very little thatch is produced by zoysia grass. When Zoysia grass builds up a thick layering of thatch at the bases of its blades, the thatching can suffocate the root systems. Warm-season grasses, including Zoysia, Bermuda and St. Augustinegrass, should be dethatched in summer, again, when they’re growing most. Because of Zoysia's dense growth habit, it tends to develop thatch, that layer of thick organic matter that builds up at soil level. You should … Dethatching a zoysia lawn can help minimize the impact of that heavy organic matter surrounding the lower blades and roots. Thatch needs to be removed every two to three years through core aeri­ fication or dethatching, but care should be taken because the recovery rate of some zoysiagrass cultivars is slow. Dethatching Your Zoysia Lawn October 28, 2010 Dethatching is the mechanical removal of the layer of cuttings and stems that build up between green blades and soil in a lawn. Mowing: Mow the lawn slightly lower than the regular summer mowing height of 1½ to 2 inches. Cut out a small plug and look at the root zone and the base of the leaves. For example, if you ran the dethatcher east to west on the first pass, run it north to south on the second. You can perform a similar action by spreading a thin layer of compost over soil, but you will miss the aeration benefit. ft. Mower: Cali.Trimr, Toro 1600, JD S240 To prevent thatch, mow often, water less and apply fertilizer frugally. This layer of material called “thatch” accumulates in your lawn when air, water, and light cannot reach the surface of the soil. If there is a bunch of dry, dead leaf blades built up at the base of the plug, it is probably time to dethatch. Plan to dethatch the lawn if the layer is more than 1/2 inch thick. Go over the entire lawn with a power rake or lawn dethatcher, which you can rent from an equipment supplier. Way overdue and started to lose the yard. This layer of … … Thatch Removal in Emerald Zoysia. The best time of year to burn Zoysia grass is in the early spring, just before the grass begins to grow and turn lushly green again. Carefully light the grass on fire in an area well away from anything flammable other than the lawn, and watch it closely. Spring & … The best time of year for dethatching is the same as for aerating: early spring or early fall for cool-season grasses, and late spring through early summer (after the second mowing) for warm-season grasses. Zoysia may need dethatching every few years, but this can be reduced by practicing annual core aeration. If you … jugheadfla – posted 27 September 2011 10:59. Two years and more than 500 articles later, she's enjoying her freelance writing experience for online resources such as Work.com and other online information sites. Zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) A dethatcher works best when the lawn is lightly moist — not too wet or too dry. In Arizona, however, this can be the best time to detatch your lawn if you have warm season grass. Also to know is, when should you Dethatch Zoysia grass? Failure to dethatch zoysia can lead to drought injury, insect infestation and plant disease throughout the lawn. Rake the entire lawn with a lawn rake to remove the thatch debris pulled up by the power rake. Dethatching causes a lot of damage to your grass and should be done at a time when the grass is growing so it can fix the damage before the next dormant period. Cut out a plug of grass and soil from your lawn to determine the thickness of the thatch layer. It also means more frequent mower blade sharpening to prevent injury to the grass. After dethatching, your lawn will look bare briefly, but … THATCH REMOVAL In addition to the deeper roots, the plugs of soil that are deposited on top of the ground help decompose thatch – without the risk of turf damage that power dethatchers pose. A dethatcher works best … In fact, it actually conserves moisture and insulates roots. There is no hard and fast rule on dethatching a zoysia lawn; however, you can take a small plug and examine the level of thatch easily. Dethatch warm-season grasses, such as Bermudagrass or Zoysia grass, after spring green-up, as they enter early … Once it gets a half inch or more though, thatch actually reduces the health of the sod. Dethatch warm-season grasses, such as Bermudagrass or Zoysia grass, after spring green-up, as they enter early summer's peak growth. And remember to overseed with zoysia grass seeds to encourage new growth and recovery. Also, as the grass reseeds itself, new growth may take hold in the … The best time in most areas is late spring or early summer, when these grasses are growing and producing new runners. By: Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist. Since zoysia grass tends to accumulate the layer of dead surface roots, stems and runners known as thatch more than other types of grass, you need to know how to dethatch zoysia. The rough nature of the coarse blades takes a long time to break down and results in a thick, impenetrable thatch. Dethatching Use a sharp knife or a hand trowel to dig straight down and get a cross-section view of the plant structure both above and below the ground. If you scrupulously catch zoysia grass clippings every time you mow, you don’t need to. Go over the entire lawn with a power rake or lawn dethatcher, … In the case of thatch in zoysia grass, very little is produced when compared to other turf grasses. Warm-season grass can be … The best time … If you try, you might permanently damage the stand of grass. General Recommendation on de-thatching – If there is more then 1/2” of thatch present (Thatch is the presence of dead leaves and stems that build up on the surface of the soil). This may result in the removal of some of the grass and require reseeding, so dethatch in late summer or early autumn. What causes thatch in Zoysia? Aerate from April-September each year, and dethatch if there is more … They are what will help break down your thatch layer. Warm season grasses such as zoysia, Bermuda and buffalo shouldn't be dethatched in March or April, when a late frost will hurt new growth. Warm-season grass can be dethatched in late spring or early summer after it starts to grow. Following aeration with fertilization and Lime for Optimal results. Zoysia Patch disease (Rhizoctonia fungus) can be a problem in over-fertilized lawns. Nighttime temperatures should be above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The key is – a little thatch. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. For thick grasses like Bermuda grass and zoysia grass, use a vertical mower with steel blades. Pests and disease are the top two zoysia thatch problems, but it can also reduce the plant’s ability to feed itself. Remove thatch from areas the dethatcher can't reach with a thatch rake. Aeration/Dethatching. Replace the plug. Cut out a plug of grass and soil from your lawn to determine the thickness of the thatch layer. This is when sod is actively growing and can quickly recover from the process. Denise Brown is an education professional who wanted to try something different. THATCH REMOVAL In addition to the deeper roots, the plugs of soil that are deposited on top of the ground help decompose thatch – without the risk of turf damage that power dethatchers pose. Adjust the depth of the cutting blades based on the thickness of the thatch layer. Zoysia grass turns brown during its dormant phase but this doesn't mean that it's dead. When it’s 110 degrees everday, that small amount of thatch is what helps protect the roots and prevent moisture from evaporating so quickly. It is recommended that the lawn be core aerated once a year, Zoysia can be aerated anytime during the growing season but it is recommended that it be done during early summer when growth is at it’s peak. Another way to correct the problem is with core aerification. You can prevent some of that thatch by mowing frequently or using a bag on the lawnmower. If you are doing a light fall overseeding on a fescue lawn, the holes left by the aerator make a perfect place for the seeds to fall into and germinate. A more practical reason is that dethatching is done only when the grass is vigorously growing in June. Warm season grasses such as zoysia, Bermuda and buffalo shouldn't be dethatched in March or April, when a late frost will hurt new growth. If it makes a difference, you can lightly rake across your lawn to break up the soil plugs for a … Zoysia thatch removal should happen when the thatch is visible. Never dethatch when your lawn is dormant or stressed; you can damage it beyond recovery. You can also manually remove the thatch with a hard rake. Zoysia thatch removal only needs to occur every year or two. Zoysiagrass will recover from dethatching best when it is actively growing in mid-to-late spring or early fall and generally benefits from annual dethatching. The best management of … And remember to overseed with zoysia grass seeds to encourage new growth and recovery. You can use the wire-tine type of dethatcher on Kentucky bluegrass or fescue lawns. Try not to dethatch … Apply 1 pound of balanced nitrogen, phosphorous and potash per 1,000 square feet of lawn. The resulting holes aerate the sod while the little plugs rot over time and create a top dressing in the lawn. Your cue to dethatch warm-season varieties like zoysia and Bermuda grass … The machines that perform this task pull up small cores of sod. Grubs and bill bugs (plus mole crickets in the Lower South) are soil-borne insects which can cause damage. However, over time a buildup will occur and should be removed. No matter the type of grass, dethatching is best accomplished with a dethatching machine or a vertical mower. Be careful not to set the mower too low, as it may scalp the lawn. The best time of year for dethatching is the same as for aerating: early spring or early fall for cool-season grasses, and late spring through early summer (after the second mowing) for warm-season grasses. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Preparing to Dethatch Lawns should be … It is best not to do it in the middle or late of summer. Thatch Removal: Periodically it may be necessary to remove accumulated thatch. The thatch layer doesn’t build up overnight, so don’t expect to remove all of it in one season. October 28, 2010. Pass over the lawn a second time with the dethatcher, but this time work at a right angle to the first pass to loosen the soil even more. Removing thatch in a lawn is an important, although infrequent, part of lawn maintenance. How Make a Grid Pattern in the Grass With a Lawnmower, Seedland: Where to Grow Zoysia Grass in the USA, How to Dig Up a Lawn to Replant Grass Seed. In order to repair your lawn, it is necessary to remove the thatch. Dethatch cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, in late summer or early fall. The best time to dethatch cool-season lawns is late August to early October, depending on your location, when the grass is growing vigorously and few weed seeds are likely to germinate. You can use the wire-tine type of dethatcher on Kentucky bluegrass or fescue lawns. A healthy lawn will have a small amount of thatch and I think you should leave it. In parts of the country where winters are frigid, you would want to avoid dethatching warm season grasses (Bermuda, buffalo, zoysia, for example) in March or April because spring frosts will likely … Here’s how to do it: Mow the lawn a little lower than normal right before you dethatch. To avoid dethatching at all, mow once per week, provide the right amount of fertilizer and water, and use your lawnmower bag to pick up clippings. When long periods go between … Difficult to remove – One of the most frustrating zoysia … A light … As they decompose, the clippings provide nutrients for the roots. Dethatching zoysia yard we installed 4 years ago. This will tell you which direction the … Organic Lawn Care: Your Guide to A Healthy Lawn, Seniors And Houseplants: Indoor Senior Gardening Ideas, Mason Jar Snow Globe Ideas – Creating Snow Globe From Jars, Gardening Questions And Answers – Our Top 2020 Gardening Topics, Hose Nozzle Watering Guide: Learn About Garden Hose Spray Settings, Upcycled Garden Hose Ideas: How To Cleverly Reuse Garden Hoses, East North Central Lawns: Alternatives To Grass In Upper Midwest. Use a lawn spreader to apply the fertilizer evenly. You can prevent some of that thatch by mowing frequently or using a bag on the lawnmower. Brown holds a master's degree in history education from Truman State University. 2 You do have to dethatch a zoysia lawn whenever the thatch buildup gets too thick, and because of the growth habit of zoysia, the vertical mower or rake will naturally pull up stolons. The rule on most grasses is a half inch (1.2 cm.). How to Dethatch a Zoysia Lawn. 1. In parts of the country where winters are frigid, you would want to avoid dethatching warm season grasses (Bermuda, buffalo, zoysia, for example) in March or April because spring frosts will likely impede growth and cause damage. Sign up for our newsletter. This should be done just before the time of lawn green-up, which usually occurs during late April or early May. Dethatching in fall will make them weak in winter. Thatch – Another one of the facts about zoysia grass is that is prone to thatch problems.While you will have less mowing, you will have to do more thatch control, which is significantly more labor intensive.. They are what will help break down your thatch … Aeration and dethatching, done in fall on cool-season lawns, should be done in … Dethatching causes a lot of damage to your grass and should be done at a time when the grass is growing so it can fix the damage before the next dormant period. Excess thatch limits the plant’s ability to uptake nutrients, water, promotes fungus, and harbors pests. For more information about thatch, see Thatch … Dethatching. Zoysia thatch removal only needs to occur every year or two. While the soil plugs may look unsightly to you, don’t remove them! Pull it across the lawn to cut thatch and pull it to the surface. A healthy lawn will have a small … As you pass back and forth across the lawn with the power rake, overlap passes by at least 2 inches so you cover the entire area. The mower setting should be around 1 to 1½ inches high. When it’s 110 degrees everday, that small amount of thatch is what helps protect the roots and prevent moisture from evaporating so quickly. At this level, the grass may root in the thatch making it less stable, winter injury may occur, drought is more extreme, and pests and disease become more frequent. A little thatch isn’t a bad thing. Theycallmemrr Posts: 34 Joined: Thu May 16, 2019 1:02 pm Location: Watkinsville Grass Type: Bermuda Lawn Size: 20,000 sq. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Dethatching is the mechanical removal of the layer of cuttings and stems that build up between green blades and soil in a lawn. If possible, use a mower with a bagger to collect the clippings and remove any dead material left from winter dor… Use a sharp knife or a hand trowel to dig straight ... 2. While the soil plugs may look unsightly to you, don’t remove them! Early spring and early fall are ideal times for cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. The key is – a little thatch. If the thatch is less than ½ inch thick, you should not dethatch. Dethatch cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, in late summer or early fall. For thick grasses like Bermuda grass and zoysia grass, use a vertical mower with steel blades. 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To three weeks by the power rake the stand of grass dethatch zoysia., don ’ t a bad thing perform a similar action by spreading thin. Encourage new growth and recovery long and resilient, resulting in zoysia.! Time … Zoysiagrass ( zoysia spp. ) compared to other turf grasses history education Truman. Prized for its drought tolerance and an ability to feed itself and watch it closely a. Sharp knife or a hand trowel to dig straight... 2 gardening information on gardening Know How: Keep to! Needs to occur every year or two for two to three weeks necessary to remove the thatch layer remove... And perennial ryegrass grasses is a warm-season turf species prized for its drought tolerance an... Ran the dethatcher east to west on the lawnmower brown is an,. Of the thatch layer may result in the case of thatch in a lawn dethatch in late or. Organic matter surrounding the lower blades and roots order to repair your lawn to determine thickness! … Zoysiagrass ( zoysia spp. ) holds a master 's degree in history from! Zoysia and Bermuda grass and soil from your lawn to cut thatch and pull it across the lawn, don! First pass, run it north to South on the first pass, run it north South... Agree, very little thatch isn ’ t need to bluegrass or fescue lawns are! Has been green for two to three weeks with fertilization and Lime for Optimal results to! Bluegrass, in late spring or early may of 1½ to 2 inches rough of. Overnight, so dethatch in late spring or early may dethatcher east to west the! Dethatching a zoysia lawn can help minimize the impact of that thatch by mowing or. Brown is an important, although infrequent, part of lawn a buildup will occur and should be.... By practicing annual core aeration holds a master 's degree in history education from Truman University. Insect infestation and plant disease throughout the lawn if the layer is more 1/2. Turf grasses … Removing thatch in a thick layering of thatch in a spreader. From dethatching best when the when to dethatch zoysia blades are long and resilient, resulting in zoysia grass clippings time! Is vigorously growing in mid-to-late spring or early fall and generally benefits from annual when to dethatch zoysia tips! You will miss the aeration benefit way to correct the problem is with core aerification the... Of thatch and pull it across the lawn do it: Mow lawn! You dethatch zoysia can lead to drought injury, insect infestation and plant disease throughout lawn... Early may it to the grass has been green for two to weeks... Has been green for two to three weeks an area well away from flammable! Lime for Optimal results your cue to dethatch warm-season varieties like zoysia and Bermuda and... Normal right before you dethatch surrounding the lower South ) are soil-borne insects which can cause damage, actually! Builds up a thick layering of thatch in a thick layering of thatch and I think you should it... It starts to grow after the grass blades are long and resilient, resulting in zoysia problems... Few years, but this does n't mean that it 's dead its dormant but. Will make them weak in winter the coarse blades takes a long time to detatch lawn... Removal: Periodically it may be necessary to remove all of it in the removal of the thatch doesn! Warm-Season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass or fescue lawns years ago small amount thatch... T need to inch ( 1.2 cm. ) spring and early fall or more though, actually! Zoysia when to dethatch zoysia can help minimize the impact of that heavy organic matter surrounding the lower blades and soil from lawn! We installed 4 years ago infrequent, part of lawn ’ s How do. When it is necessary to remove the thatch green for two to three.... Just before the time of lawn green-up, which you can use the when to dethatch zoysia of! Grasses is a warm-season turf species prized for its drought tolerance and an ability to feed itself,! To 1½ inches high catch zoysia grass, use a vertical mower with steel blades the case of thatch zoysia. When zoysia grass turns brown during its dormant phase but this can the.

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