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Thatch in lawns is dead vegetation that sits between the living lawn and the soil. Since it is decomposing it contains microorganisms.

A good layer of thatch is need to protect the roots from drying out and to provide nutrients for the growing grass. However, too much can have a smothering effect on the lawn and even damage its health.

When thatch is allowed to build up it blocks the free movement of water through to the roots. Then, like a sponge, thatch holds water, not allowing it through and starving the roots of moisture. So instead of growing down the roots will grow up into the thatch layer to get at the moisture. A shallow-rooted lawn is more susceptible to breaking off and pulling out at the slightest wear.

In addition, too much thatch will prevent fertilizers from getting to the roots. Organic types will dry up and be blown away or sucked away by a lawnmower. Chemical types concentrate in the thatch layer creating a toxic barrier and killing off organisms which could break down the thatch. Earthworms will also stay away from a chemical-laced thatch allowing disease from destroying the grass. In addition, chinch bugs burrow under the thatch and have a free hand at the grass roots without interference from the sunlight or predators which natural feed off them.

Thatch is commonly removed by raking or combing with a de-thatching machine. This is usually done in the spring. This vigorous treatment breaks off growing lawn along with raking out the dead vegetation but the lawn will come back in a month. until then it usually looks dead because the live grass has been raked out along with the dead vegetation.

In addition to de-thatching, aeration is good to get oxygen and nutrients to the roots. This pulls out plugs of grass leaving conical holes down to the roots.