Thatching Winter Watering

[silver1]

My small front lawn is over 20+ yrs old. I have never thatched it as I used catcher on my walk behind.
Now I will be using a rider with no catcher. In general should a lawn be thatched every year? I leave
the grass tall in late summer to help with the watering. Our local nursery is advising us to water our shrubs
and lawn if the ground is no frozen but to what depth of ground freeze? Only the top 3--4" are thawed.
We have not had any rain or snow since Dec. 3rd....
Thanks.

 

[exotion]

My small front lawn is over 20+ yrs old. I have never thatched it as I used catcher on my walk behind.
Now I will be using a rider with no catcher. In general should a lawn be thatched every year? I leave
the grass tall in late summer to help with the watering. Our local nursery is advising us to water our shrubs
and lawn if the ground is no frozen but to what depth of ground freeze? Only the top 3--4" are thawed.
We have not had any rain or snow since Dec. 3rd....
Thanks.

Grass clippings don't cause thatch. Grass grows in bunches like little half globes when lots of these half globes grow together the bottom part of that plan turns yellow due to lack of light it dies but stays attached to the plant and creates a home for insects and disease. Personally if you haven't done it in 20 years you should probably do it. There is a plus side to thatch as it provides insulation in the winter and protects the soil from direct sunlight

 

[silver1]

Grass clippings don't cause thatch. Grass grows in bunches like little half globes when lots of these half globes grow together the bottom part of that plan turns yellow due to lack of light it dies but stays attached to the plant and creates a home for insects and disease. Personally if you haven't done it in 20 years you should probably do it. There is a plus side to thatch as it provides insulation in the winter and protects the soil from direct sunlight

So you thatch it but leave the dead grass in place over the winter.....

 

[exotion]

So you thatch it but leave the dead grass in place over the winter.....

No if your going to de thatch you need to remove debris... Or you will choke your grass. I was just saying mulching grass clippings does not cause thatch

 

[possum]

I rake out the dead stuff every fall.