Should I de-thatch now, or wait?

At the beginning of spring it became apparent to me that I had a coarse grass problem on a lawn that I had taken over last autumn. After asking on here what to do, I was told the way forward was to just keep mowing it and eventually it will weaken it and the coarse grass will die and be replaced by favourable turf grass.

Well 3 months of mowing twice a week has killed the coarse grass but it isn't decomposing into the lawn, it's just sitting there looking like straw and probably inhibiting new growth from the healthy grass around it. There's plenty of lovely green grass on the lawn, but the appearance is slightly spoiled by the straw patches.

So, should I put my bosch verticutter on the highest setting and try to remove the straw, or should I just leave it and wait another couple of months until I thoroughly scarify?

 

I would very lightly rake it out hoofy.....mind you not now, not in this heat. In a few days I would.The thatch is prob helping to conserve moisture in top soil.

 

It’s a bit warm for any type of mechanical treatment.
You could lightly rake it and I know you are watering so that should be fine but just wait for this warm spell to fade a bit.
I take it you are on about the loose cuttings rather than thatch?

 

Yes, it is loose cuttings, I guess. If you stroke your hand over it lots of bits fly around then settle again. Plenty is still rooted into the soil, just dead and straw coloured. I'll see if I can get a good close up picture later and also an over all pic of the lawn.

I won't be doing anything too invasive in this heat.

 

Have you a blower by any chance?

 

No. I had thought that might be the best tool for the job, but not worth buying one for a one off job.

 

blast that would have made life easy for you. A stiff brush or leaf rake will be ok if you have one.

 

I just had a go with a lawn rake and it was way too much work for little if any improvement in appearance. I think I'll wait a couple of months and then scarify it properly.

I took some pics anyhow and it doesn't look too bad. Just a bit aggravating when it could look so much better.

 

Starting to look better.

Shame it’s so hot at the moment.

 

We had plenty of rain last night, which I was overjoyed with. I have a flat roof on my bedroom so I could hear it chucking down for a good 2 hours.

I must admit, I couldn't sleep because I was so happy for how much the lawn must have been enjoying it lol.

 

Some cracking thunder here too, I stupidly forgot I left my van drivers window open a small bit for air but not a sign of water had entered.
No work today, lawns have stunted and one customer did not want me out in the afternoon heat.
Housework today, I hate it!

With these temps the poor rain we had will be short lived but I think more rain is due at the weekend.