Dethatching centipede grass

Thatch is a collection of dead plant parts like stems and grass clippings that accumulate on the soil surface. Centipede grass seldom has much of a thatch problem since it grows slowly and grass clipping have plenty of time to decompose. That can become a problem, however, if it becomes thicker than .5 inches and grass roots begin to grow into the thatch as if it was soil. This may happen to a centipede grass lawn in very specific situations like when a lawn is over fertilized. Thatch is dangerous because it dries quickly in hot summer conditions and grass roots growing in it are more susceptible to drought and disease.

In most cases, you don't need to worry about thatch. Begin the year by mowing your centipede grass lawn to 1 to 1.5 inches in the early spring before it greens and bagging your lawn clippings. If possible, rake your lawn at the same time with a metal tined leaf rake. This won't do much good if your lawn is thick and forms a mat of intertwining grass stolons. It is helpful, through, in areas that are thing where you can dredge quite a bit of thatch from the soil surface. Collect and remove as much of the debris as possible. Aerating with Lazyman Gold will also help to prevent thatch problems.

It is best not to mechanically dethatch a centipede grass lawn unless you have discovered a major, sustained thatch problem (.5 inches or more) and want to renovate the lawn. If you decide to use a mechanical dethatcher do not cut too deeply or make more than one pass over the entire lawn. In addition never dethatch during periods of drought. After dethating, rake and remove all thatch from the entire surface.