lawn quote

What are the pros and cons of a hay layer on your lawn? Straw layer is a layer of partially decomposed and undecomposed plant tissue that accumulates on the soil surface and consists of living and dead roots and stems. The hay layer is light brown and contains little or no soil. The grass cushion layer is located under the hay layer and is a soil layer containing organic matter.
When the production of plant tissue is greater than the decomposition rate, the wither layer accumulates. Plant debris is mainly decomposed by soil microorganisms, such as fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes. Earthworms also feed on organic matter, which helps in decomposition.
A thin layer of hay is beneficial, increasing the elasticity of the turf, preventing athlete injuries and compacting the soil from being trampled. Undecomposed organic matter covers and protects the soil surface from drying out. The dry straw layer also protects plant roots from sudden temperature changes. The dry straw layer also prevents the germination of weed seeds. For most lawns, it is acceptable for the hay layer to be thinner than 0.01cm, but thicker than 0.01cm will cause a series of problems.
First, the straw layer provides a good environment for the survival and growth of pests and pathogens. Secondly, an excessively thick layer of hay will cause the lawnmower wheels to sink, causing the grass to be cut too low. The roots, rhizomes, stems and root necks of the lawn are submerged in it, resulting in a shallow root distribution, weakened lawn growth and reduced resistance. Third, the hay layer has poor water retention and hydrophobicity, coupled with poor fertilizer retention, worsening the water and fertilizer conditions of the lawn. In addition, an excessively thick layer of hay will also affect the effectiveness of pesticides and herbicides.