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Thatch
Build Up in Turf Causes Problems
Thatch is the straw-like accumulation of dead organic material
on the surface of your soil just below the grass line and is
usually out of sight. This layer is made up of dead roots, rhizomes
and lawn clippings, which have not been broken down. When thatch
builds up, it indicates your lawn's health is slipping away.
You can check your thatch layer thickness by pulling up a
section of sod or taking a core sample. Look right at the base of
the grass blades where they come to meet the soil. You will see a
brown matted section of dead organic matter. This is thatch. You
will know that you have a serious problem if you see very few live
roots extending beyond this layer and if the sod pulls up fairly
easily in a nice uniform strip.
A layer that is greater than about 1/4" is too much and should
be dealt with appropriately as it keeps valuable water and
nutrients from fertilization from ever reaching the soil. Thatch
layers over ˝ inch [12.7mm] thick definitely require
treatment. Grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, Creeping bentgrass,
and most warm-season grasses (Zoysia or Bermuda grass are
particularly prone to thatch problems.
Why Mechanical Dethatching Alone Doesn't
Work
Too often mechanical
dethatching is the treatment of choice. This is unfortunate,
because mechanical dethatchers can rip and tear grass plants and
roots. They do little to improve your lawn's long-term health.
Dethatching and aerating machines cut through and disturb the
thatch layer, allowing water and oxygen penetration. But thatch is
often produced faster than normal decomposition and machines can
remove it. The result is a recurring problem that requires repeated
expensive temporary treatments.
If your lawn has a true thatch condition, you cannot alleviate
it with hand raking, power raking or so-called "dethatching"
machines. These will only skim the surface of the thatch layer. If
you dig in any deeper, you will tear out the grass. The best way to
reduce thatch is to get it to decompose.
Why You Should Use Liquid Rake
Liquid Rake contains an advanced formulation of naturally
occurring microbes that feed on dead plant tissue. Like any other
population, they multiply when there is abundant food (thatch). By
adding the concentrated microbes in Liquid Rake, you help nature
keep up with the accumulation of dead plant material. Repeated
application establishes a thriving community of thatch-eating
microbes for a healthier lawn.
It is the safe and natural solution to breaking down thatch
without renting a dethatcher, eliminating the dust, sweat, and
backbreaking labor involved. Liquid Rake works equally well on
grass clippings and mower mulch. Regular treatment with Liquid Rake
is the easy way to a lush healthy lawn saving time for more
important things.
Liquid Rake is an all-natural product that is a cocktail of safe
and beneficial living microorganisms and enzymes necessary to
quickly break down organic matter into valuable humus. Liquid Rake
is not a fertilizer, but actually accelerates nature's fertilizer
building process. Liquid Rake is environmentally safe and will not
harm your family or pets.
Liquid Rake Usage Instructions
Liquid Rake accelerates natural thatch decomposition and can
reduce or completely eliminate the need for mechanical
de-thatching. Research has shown this microbial dethatcher to
reduce thatch approximately 50% after three applications at 4-week
intervals. Once thatch is broken down, this microbial dethatcher
will also help prevent future thatch build up.
Apply to moist or wet lawns. In dry conditions make sure your
lawn is watered within 24 hours and do not apply in temperatures
over 90 degrees unless you can water your lawn right away. Morning
applications with more water are advised during warm weather.
Apply Liquid Rake at 3-6 oz. per 1000 sf. for first time
applications or heavy thatch problems. Apply at 1-2 oz per
1000 sf. for recurring applications to keep thatch under control.
Or 1-2 gallons per acre if you are using spray equipment other
than the Liquid Rake hose-end. Apply every 3 weeks for best
results or until thatch is under control. Water it in afterwards
with enough water to soak all the way through the thatch layer
and into the soil. Can be applied with Lawn Honey or SoilSyrup
to help aid penetration through the thatch.
Coverage Per Application:
- Liquid Rake Hose-End: 16 oz. - Up to 10,000 Square Feet
- Liquid Rake Gallon: 1 Gallon - Up to 80,000 Square Feet or
approximately 2 acres
Liquid Rake works on all grass types - Bahia, Bentgrass,
Bermuda, Bluegrass, Buffalo, Carpet, Centipede, Fescue, Ryegrass,
St. Augustine, Zoysia.
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