The thatch dilution delusion...discuss. Can thatch be diluted? If so, is there any benefit in doing so? As with many aspects of modern greenkeeping that have been accepted as fact without evidence, the claims for top-dressing's ability to dilute thatch fly in the face of the science.
To reduce thatch on all heavily used sports turf.
THATCH EATER is a cocktail of beneficial soil fungi and bacteria specially selected for their ability to rapidly degrade thatch and organic matter and to release locked-up nutrients for plant growth, converting it to humus. The bacteria and fungi are centrifuge-dried into a zeolite carrier to enhance their metabolism and to protect them from ultra violet light and chemicals. Fungicides can be used within seven days of application.
AERATION A hectare of sports turf with thatch 4cm deep will contain approximately 200m3 - 400m3 of thatch, matted with top dressing. Degrading this much thatch requires a lot of oxygen. Frequent aeration, with solid tines, or sorrel roller to the bottom of the thatch layer will enhance the process and allow released nutrient to be rapidly converted for grass growth.
Aerate at least every two to three weeks and apply Liquid Aeration for best results.
NUTRIENT CONTROL ThatchEater will release a lot of nutrient from the recycled thatch. If the grass looks hungry, especially after heavy rain, first aerate with micro tines or a sorrel roller, to reactivate the microbes and release enough nutrient to strengthen and colour the sward. Apply fertilisers only when necessary, for best results do not overfeed.
For the most rapid degradation of thatch, use with LOW SALT INDEX FERTILISERS and BIOSTIMULANTS that enhance the biological activity of THATCHEATER.
IRRIGATION To prevent de-oxygenation of the thatch through water-logging, use irrigation water sparingly.
APPLICATION AND TIMING
Use in the growing season when the soil temperature is 5°C and above. For best results apply in Spring. How to use: Spike/hollow-tine turf and apply at 50g per m2 into, but not below, the thatch layer using a rotary or drop-spreader, or mixed with seed in an overseeder. Water in immediately and again the following day in the absence of rain.
Part Organic Fertilisers with a unique blend of rhizo-bacteria and fungi ORGANIC AND PART ORGANIC 12.2.9 50% Organic Slow Release INORGANIC SLOW RELEASE 15.2.15 15% SCU Slow Release 7.0.10 with additional ThatchEating fungi 9.3.14 + 2% Mg + 2%Fe These fertilisers are designed to give immediate growth with a long lasting slow release element. Ideally …
How to Generate Natural (and free) Fertiliser for your Bowling Green using your own home brewed Compost Tea Compost Tea is a natural and inexpensive turf treatment, that you make yourself, turns thatch into free fertiliser and improves the health of your soil. Improve your Green and save your money Greenkeepers everywhere are brewing and applying …
Where grass grows on soil of any type the health of the turf/soil eco-system can be assessed by looking at the thatch layer. On grass areas where there is little or no human interference in the form of excessive compaction, fertiliser, pesticides and mechanical work (other than mowing) such as in meadows or parks the …
After LDP there is probably more information on this site about Thatch than anything else. Thatch production by grass plants is a natural process. Thatch is the layer at the very top of the green surface between the green grass blades and the brown soil beneath. Simply put; the bigger the distance between the green …
As bowling green maintenance specialists we get lots of questions every week about thatch. So here is a quick crash course on it; what it is, what it does and how to deal with it: What is it? Thatch is the name given to the mat of dead roots and shoots that accumulates on the …
Thatch is the mat of fibre between the grass and soil on your green. Although some thatch (5-6mm) is desirable too much can have a devastating affect on the playing surface. When thatch builds up beyond the optimum level it can quickly cause problems with surface drainage, which in turn can encourage fungal diseases like …
The sward on the majority of UK bowling greens consists of 3 main grass types; various bent grasses (Agrostis), various Fescues (Festuca) and Annual Meadow Grass (Poa annua). Of these, the bent grasses and annual meadow grass are prolific thatch producers. Thatch consists of dead and dying roots, shoots, leaves, stolons and rhizomes and in …
We have had a few queries asking about thatch; actually a few readers asking for a definitive description of thatch and its associated problems, so here it is: What is it? Thatch is the name given to the mat of dead roots and shoots that accumulates on the surface of the green. Where moisture, nutrition …
