Confused… to dethatch or not?

mygrey0711 – posted 06 August 2007 13:27

Our well established St Augustine lawn began to decline last fall. In the early spring, we had many completely dead spots that have never filled in. I’m pretty sure we have Take-All. Have sent test to be sure, but the yellow the dead patches are everywhere now.

Some areas are spongey, and I think 1-3 inches of thatch. We plan to dethatch in the spring, but now I reading that you shouldn’t dethatch St. Augustine (?) Is aerating better when trying to baby a lawn that has been stressed?

swflawn – posted 09 August 2007 05:00

First find out what is causing the problems. If you are in Florida you may have chinch bugs this time of year. Take all patch is not that common. Remember St. Augustine naturally is thatchy.