deskjet820 – posted 13 December 2001 12:45
As a new homeowner, less than 1 yr, my lawn has developed excessive thatch in the front and backyard. Do I follow the seasonal thatch schedule. IF so, do I have to wait until May since I am in North Florida or can I do it now during December and water the yard after its done and put fertilizer down
seed – posted 13 December 2001 16:45
deskjet820, dethatching can be quite destructive to St. Augustinegrass. If it has to be done, a rationale for doing so in the spring is that there will be sufficient warmth for new growing points, i.e., new stolon branches, to form more quickly, and cover the ground before the weeds get the upper hand.
Unlike bermudagrass or zoysiagrass, with St. Augustinegrass the only growing points capable of spreading are in the above ground runners, called stolons. One can power rake or verticut (two mechanical “dethatching” instruments) either zoysiagrass or bermudagrass, and whatever canopy doesn’t survive might be replaced by new sprouts from the below ground runners, called rhizomes.
With St. Augustinegrass, there is nothing below ground that can grow back, so be very careful.
Phil
art – posted 14 December 2001 15:47
So I should wait until SPRING and do the thatching or can I do it in JAN. The grass has alot of dead grass at the bottom and I felt the bottom layer and it is damp because of the sprinkler activity. I am watering 3-4times per week. My goal is to have a dark green lush yard. Now I have yellow spots with green spts too.
George777 – posted 15 December 2001 19:38
If you have large thatch build up after only one year you may be aplying to much fert.What have you been applying or how much N per 1,000?