Question
I live on the north shore of Lake Ontario. My lawn is about 3 years old. There is a lot of thatch which I have tried to rake out but it just keeps getting worse as if the grass is dying. I use Scott brand fertilizer and follow all instructions to no avail. What can I do to help or alleviate this situation. I must also add that we are having a very late spring.
Your help would be appreciated
Don Hamilton

Answer
Try to look in the phone book for equipment rental stores. The type of places which rents pickick tables and tools. Then ask them if they have a core aerator or a dethatcher (I prefer core aerators). Run the machine over the lawn 2-3 times. The machine will remove 3" cores of soil and depoit them on the surface. These cores punches holes through the thatch and also elivates compaction which will revitalize the lawn. If you can not find these at equipment rental stores, try a landscaper .. he may be able to do so for you. Go with core aerating (not spike aerators).

Change your fertilizer planning slightly:
- fertilize in late spring, early fall and late fall (late May, early septmeber, and late october/early november). Do not fertilize too early in spring (unless you need fertilizer w/crabgrass preventer, however, if you have not had a BAD crabgrass infestations, then skip the mentioned application in very early spring as fertilizer that early is not good for the lawn). Do not fertilize during hot summer months (between June/August) and do not use fertilizer w/insecticides (very hazardous to you and your environment.. and absolutely not required for a healthy lawn).

When you mow your lawn, mow frequently and mow high. Try to mow the grass 2.5-3.5" (6-9 cms tall). Try to mow before the lawn gets too tall. The golden rule is to never cut more than 30% of the length of the grass. E.g. if you aim at cutting the lawn at 7 cms, then cut it before it reaches 10 cms. If it is longer, mow it back to 9-10 cms first, and then mow again a few days later back to 7 cms. Mowing frequently and mowing tall (6-9 cms) will help eliviate thatch.

Also, thatch is often created by excessive fertilizer epecially in spring. I recommend, as mentioned that you fertilize 3 times per year: in late spring, early fall and late fall. Last fertilizer application should be after grass has stopped growing but about 4-6 weeks before a hard freeze. Usually late october/early november is recommended. The first application should be after the lawn has greened up on it's own in spring and started to grow. Usually late may. If you have already fertilized, then do not fertilize any more this spring. Wait until September.

Core aerating can be done twice annually (late spring/early fall) just before fertilizing (or you can do it without fertilizing). Do not core aerate during hot summer months or too early/late in spring/fall.

Good luck.