Lawn disease comes in all shapes and sizes, from dead looking brown patches to highly visible spots, rings, and slime. Lawns are naturally full of fungi and with the right conditions they erupt. The older the turf more susceptible it is to diseases.
The most common causes of lawn disease are:
Excessive moisture
Weather conditions such as Heat and Humidity
Compacted Soil
A simple change in your lawn care practices may be enough to prevent or eradicate lawn fungus. Summer heat and high humidity are two major factors of lawn disease. Healthy maintained lawns bounce back at a much higher rate with little to no last damage.
Steps to help take control of fungal diseases in your lawn:
Watering: Water early in the morning 3am - 6am, to allow the grass blades to dry during the day. Give your lawn one inch of water per week. Water deeply, but less frequently, to encourage stronger roots and to allow the water to absorb properly.
Mowing: Follow good mowing practices, including keeping the mower blades sharp and mowing your lawn at the highest setting. Lawns cut too short are much more vulnerable to fungal disease.
Air Circulation: Many lawn fungi develop under moist, still conditions.
Aerate: Loosen soil by aerating your lawn every year or two.
Fungicides: If all else fails, ask about a fungicide application. It will not help your grass regrow, but they’ll get the fungal under control so that your improved lawn care practices can take effect with the goal of weakening the spread.
Most Common Disease
Red Thread: Very susceptible in cool-season grasses you will see a red or pink webbing on your grass.
Dollar Spot: Each spot is the about the size of a silver dollar. It is slightly tan in color.
Brown Patch: Usually appears in circular patches in the lawn that are brownish/yellow in color. Ranges from six inches to a few feet in diameter. Most common with extended periods of heat and humidity when the overnight temperature remain above sixty-eight degrees fahrenheit.
