Chances are that at some point during the lawn care season, you will notice a few brown patches. Have you ever wondered what causes them? In many cases it could be a weather related fungus. Here are some basic tips for you to follow if you suspect your turf is being attacked by fungus.
Heavy amounts of spring rain mixed with temperatures in the high 70s and 80s set up the perfect breeding ground for many common lawn fungus problems. Stir in some humidity, and you have a very good chance of starting a 'science project' under your lawn.
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.
Since we can't control Mother Nature and her weather patterns, we need to make effective choices where we can control the outcome. Mowing high and watering consistently, but deeply and never at night are just 2 of the best ways to help control lawn diseases. In addition, you should bag or catch your lawn clippings when conditions are favorable for disease development.
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.
It is also a good idea to feed your lawn with plenty of nitrogen during times when lawn fungus pressure is high. Nitrogen helps the lawn grow, thus passing through any disease problems effecting it. If you are stumped by how much nitrogen to apply or what products to you, consult your local lawn care pro for advice.
Lastly and most importantly is the thatch layer in the turf. Thatch is that layer of organic matter that floats just above the soil line in the lawn.
Proper amounts of thatch are good. Thatch keeps the turf's roots shaded during very sunny days and maintains moisture levels, but too much will harbor disease. If your thatch layer is more than one-half-inch thick, it is time to aerate your lawn.
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. - 16459
Heavy amounts of spring rain mixed with temperatures in the high 70s and 80s set up the perfect breeding ground for many common lawn fungus problems. Stir in some humidity, and you have a very good chance of starting a 'science project' under your lawn.
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.
Since we can't control Mother Nature and her weather patterns, we need to make effective choices where we can control the outcome. Mowing high and watering consistently, but deeply and never at night are just 2 of the best ways to help control lawn diseases. In addition, you should bag or catch your lawn clippings when conditions are favorable for disease development.
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.
It is also a good idea to feed your lawn with plenty of nitrogen during times when lawn fungus pressure is high. Nitrogen helps the lawn grow, thus passing through any disease problems effecting it. If you are stumped by how much nitrogen to apply or what products to you, consult your local lawn care pro for advice.
Lastly and most importantly is the thatch layer in the turf. Thatch is that layer of organic matter that floats just above the soil line in the lawn.
Proper amounts of thatch are good. Thatch keeps the turf's roots shaded during very sunny days and maintains moisture levels, but too much will harbor disease. If your thatch layer is more than one-half-inch thick, it is time to aerate your lawn.
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. - 16459
About the Author:
Sal Haneson has been working in the lawn and landscape industry since the age of 16. He talks about lawn care and gives free tips on his blogs, Lawn Services Illinois and Georgia Lawn Services.
