Superintendents may retain some thatch to moderate the effects of summer heat.

Superintendents may retain some thatch to moderate the effects of summer heat.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. It depends on season
• D. Not sure

Answer: (B)

A light layer of thatch can act like natural mulch, buffering the root zone from hot, drying conditions. By reducing direct soil surface heating, thatch helps keep soil and root temps more stable and slows moisture loss from evaporation, which supports turf during summer heat. This buffering is beneficial when managed at a moderate level, since too much thatch can impede water and air movement and increase disease risk. So, keeping some thatch to provide this protective effect is a reasonable and common practice in hot climates.

A light layer of thatch can act like natural mulch, buffering the root zone from hot, drying conditions. By reducing direct soil surface heating, thatch helps keep soil and root temps more stable and slows moisture loss from evaporation, which supports turf during summer heat. This buffering is beneficial when managed at a moderate level, since too much thatch can impede water and air movement and increase disease risk. So, keeping some thatch to provide this protective effect is a reasonable and common practice in hot climates.