Every lawn gets brown spots here and there; some more visible than others... ...but what causes them? Could it be lawn fungus or disease and will it kill your grass? Here are a few simple tips regarding lawn fungus and diseases that can creep into your turf during the later spring and summer.
It rains a lot in the spring right? And because of that, fungal problems abound. Throw in a few 70 degree days and some humidity and you are looking at a perfect breeding habitat for lawn disease.
You may have already researched the more common lawn fungal problems in your area. Some of these are rust, summer patch, red thread and dollar spot, just to name a few. On a positive note, these common fungal problems rarely cause long term turf damage. Most can be cleared up with a few adjustments to your normal maintenance practices. In addition, you should consult your local turf pro should the fungus problem persist or worsen.
We can't control the weather, but we can make adjustments in spite of it. The primary cultural practices that homeowners should be aware of are watering and mowing. Mow tall and catch clippings during humid conditions, and always water your lawn deeply, consistently and never at night.
Granular fungicides available at your local home center or from your lawn care treatment company will work to prevent a majority of disease problems, but timing is crucial. It is best to get an application down prior the onset of disease in the turf, meaning you should get some down in later May or early June if possible. A second granular fungicide application may also be required in July or August.
Another important consideration is soil composition; specifically in regards to available nitrogen. Nitrogen in the soil will allow grass to grow quickly, thus recovering faster from disease pressure. Your lawn pro can help adjust fertilizer rates for you or apply the correct amounts when diseases are present in the turf.
Finally, we need to have a look at your lawn's thatch layer. All lawns have thatch, which is the layer of dead grass, leaves and other stuff that sits right on the soil at the base of the grass plants themselves.
Thatch is good for lawns when in proper proportion. A good thatch layer will shade the grass roots during the hot summer and also help control evaporation of water in the soil. However, a thick thatch layer will act as a breeding ground for disease and fungus. I recommend if your thatch layer is thicker than half-inch, you have your lawn aerated immediately.
Lawn core aeration is a mechanical process whereby holes are poked into the thatch layer and down into the soil using a large machine. You can hire a lawn care company to aerate for you, or rent the machine yourself for around $40 per day. The optimum times of the year to aerate are spring and fall, but you can do it anytime or both. One last tip: never power rake your turf. This is called "de-thatching" and will remove 100% of the thatch layer and cause you bigger problems in the future.
The main thing to keep in mind is that most lawn disease problems are not really a big deal and you should not panic! A healthy lawn that is watered, mowed and fertilized properly will recover from just about anything thrown at it. Don't let your lawn stress you out! Instead, take care of it now, and it will stay healthy and green for years to come. - 16035
It rains a lot in the spring right? And because of that, fungal problems abound. Throw in a few 70 degree days and some humidity and you are looking at a perfect breeding habitat for lawn disease.
You may have already researched the more common lawn fungal problems in your area. Some of these are rust, summer patch, red thread and dollar spot, just to name a few. On a positive note, these common fungal problems rarely cause long term turf damage. Most can be cleared up with a few adjustments to your normal maintenance practices. In addition, you should consult your local turf pro should the fungus problem persist or worsen.
We can't control the weather, but we can make adjustments in spite of it. The primary cultural practices that homeowners should be aware of are watering and mowing. Mow tall and catch clippings during humid conditions, and always water your lawn deeply, consistently and never at night.
Granular fungicides available at your local home center or from your lawn care treatment company will work to prevent a majority of disease problems, but timing is crucial. It is best to get an application down prior the onset of disease in the turf, meaning you should get some down in later May or early June if possible. A second granular fungicide application may also be required in July or August.
Another important consideration is soil composition; specifically in regards to available nitrogen. Nitrogen in the soil will allow grass to grow quickly, thus recovering faster from disease pressure. Your lawn pro can help adjust fertilizer rates for you or apply the correct amounts when diseases are present in the turf.
Finally, we need to have a look at your lawn's thatch layer. All lawns have thatch, which is the layer of dead grass, leaves and other stuff that sits right on the soil at the base of the grass plants themselves.
Thatch is good for lawns when in proper proportion. A good thatch layer will shade the grass roots during the hot summer and also help control evaporation of water in the soil. However, a thick thatch layer will act as a breeding ground for disease and fungus. I recommend if your thatch layer is thicker than half-inch, you have your lawn aerated immediately.
Lawn core aeration is a mechanical process whereby holes are poked into the thatch layer and down into the soil using a large machine. You can hire a lawn care company to aerate for you, or rent the machine yourself for around $40 per day. The optimum times of the year to aerate are spring and fall, but you can do it anytime or both. One last tip: never power rake your turf. This is called "de-thatching" and will remove 100% of the thatch layer and cause you bigger problems in the future.
The main thing to keep in mind is that most lawn disease problems are not really a big deal and you should not panic! A healthy lawn that is watered, mowed and fertilized properly will recover from just about anything thrown at it. Don't let your lawn stress you out! Instead, take care of it now, and it will stay healthy and green for years to come. - 16035
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