Breaking Down Lawn Thatch By Feeding

Although now free from moss, the lawn has taken a real battering over the winter months and is in need a pick-me-up. There is also the problem of the old thatch.

TREATMENT
Have given a liquid feed of 'Phostrogen Plant Food' (14-10-27) at rate of a level 5ml scoop (dissolved 50ml in 2 galls water and applied by watering can over 10 sq metres) per sq. metre.

FEED THE BACTERIA 'EATING' THE THATCH
Now, whilst the turf is still damp and the weather is warming up, is a good time to feed the bacteria breaking down the old thatch. The feed will supply vital organic nitrogen (See photo. 'Phostrogen's' 14% nitrogen is supplied as: ureic (12%) and ammoniacal (2%)**) to allow the bacteria to build protein and therefore increase in numbers.

The lowering of the acidity from the addition of lime, last autumn, will fuel the process. Without it, the urea will not work in this way, since the thatch is effectively pickled by the acids in the turf.

Old thatch contains a lot of tough old carbohydrates, such as celluloses, hemicelluloses and lignin. Soil animals (fauna) and fungi also break down this material.

SOLUBLE PHOSPHORUS BUILDS UP ROOTS
Between autumn and spring is the time plants stop leaf growth and build up a new root system to supply food and water for the coming season. 'Phostrogen' supplies soluble phosphorus to help root growth, which is in full swing at this time.

POTASSIUM HARDENS GRASS
The high potassium level in 'Phostrogen' will harden the grass against frost and disease.

MICRO-NUTRIENTS
'Phostrogen' will also add any micro-nutrients which might be lacking in the turf.

* Note that we are applying 'Phostrogen PLANT Food', NOT 'Phostrogen LAWN Feed' at this stage. Normal lawn feed contains too much nitrogen for our purposes, and might induce leaf growth too early. Lawn feed can be given later, as per last year.

** Liquid lawn feeds usually supply nitrogen in ureic and/or ammoniacal form. Nitrogen in nitrate form (usually found in pelleted fertilizers) is unsuitable for this purpose.