Understanding Common Lawn Diseases And How To Treat Them
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No matter how much care you provide your lawn, the probability of it getting affected by certain diseases is always there. While you can never make your lawn attain supreme being capabilities, there’s always something you can do to keep it safe from possible diseases and treat them if they occur. But before you proceed, knowing about the different ways of treating these ailments is crucial to become familiar with their causing agents so you better understand what your lawn requires for healthy growth. Read ahead as we cover the most common lawn diseases and ways to treat them.
Common Lawn Diseases And Their Treatment
Factors like fungi, viruses, bacteria, and certain environmental conditions can contribute to different lawn problems. Here are the common lawn diseases along with their treatment options.
1. Brown Patch
Caused by the Rhizoctonia fungus, this disease is also called Rhizoctonia solani, which is characterized by circular brown patches of dead or drying grass, especially during hot, humid conditions. The fungus infects the grass foliage and its crowns.
Treatment: Mild cases of brown patches can be treated with basic lawn management consisting of improving air circulation and reducing thatching. For severe infection, fungicides are required.
2. Rust
It’s caused by a group of fungi infecting the leaves of the grass. It often affects the lawn during late summer and fall when the weather is warm and wet. This disease is seen as orange or brown rust-colored patches on the grass blades.
Treatment: Try fertilizing and mowing your lawn regularly. Focus on improving air circulation and reducing moisture levels by aerating the lawn and adjusting watering practices.
3. Red Thread
Also known as Pink Patch, this disease is most prominent during the warm, humid weather of spring and fall. Caused by Laetisaria fuciformis fungi, it makes the leaves turn a reddish-pink color and may cause their death too. It mainly affects cool-season grasses.
Treatment: Try improving drainage, reducing thatch, and using fungicide. Removing the affected leaves and opting for lawn mowing may help as well.
4. Snow Mold
Snow mold occurs in regions with cold winters and snowing when snow stocks up on the lawn for a long period. This disease is caused by the growth of fungal spores and causes spots of matter and dying grass.
Treatment: Try bettering air circulation and drainage and consider using fungicide. If required, you can even opt for lawn care services.
5. Dollar Spot
It’s another fungal disease that often occurs in cool-season grasses in cool, wet conditions and causes small, circular patches of dead grass. The patches may bear straw or tan color and the size is identical to a silver dollar. It’s mostly caused by a damped lawn lacking enough shade and wind exposure.
Treatment: Try reducing thatching, enhancing air circulation, and using fungicides. Don’t water your lawn more than twice a week and aerate it regularly. Use sharp blades for mowing the grass.
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6. Gray Leaf Spot
This disease is caused by a fungus called Pyricularia grisea that sustains in warm and rainy climates. As a foliar disease, it primarily affects warm-season grasses, resulting in yellowing and spotting on leaves. It causes the grass to thin out and eventually die.
Treatment: Irrigate the lawn properly while ensuring proper air circulation and reduced shading. In severe cases, fungicide application may also be opted for.
7. Summer Patch
Also referred to as the Poa patch, the summer patch is a root and crown turfgrass disease caused by the fungus Magnaporthe pose. It causes patches of dead or wilting grass and is common during hot, sunny conditions.
Treatment: Lower soil pH, ensure proper drainage, avoid overwatering, duly aerate the soil, and control thatch. Additionally, you can use slow-release nitrogen and fungicides too.
8. Fairy Ring
It’s a fungal disease caused by a fungus called Marasmius oreades, commonly known as Fairy Ring Mushroom. This ailment manifests in the form of dark green bands bearing different patterns and shapes. The fungi living in the roots of the turf are the main cause of this infection and may cause a ring of dead grass. It mainly occurs in the early summer season in lawns with thick thatch and low fertile soil.
Treatment: Try minimizing thatch, aerating the soil, irrigating regularly, applying sufficient nitrogen, and using professional-grade fungicides. Moreover, you can opt for removing the affected section of the turf and replacing it with fresh soil and seeds.
9. Powdery Mildew
Caused by a parasite called Erysiphe graminis, this disease prevails in warm, dry conditions with high humidity at night and low humidity during the day, most commonly in the spring and fall. It results in a white or grayish powdery coating appearing on the leaves and stems, due to which grass’ growth gets halted and it begins weakening.
Treatment: As this disease sustains in dark areas with humidity, it’s best to aerate the lawn and prune any trees and shrubs growing near the affected area. Additionally, try reducing leaf wetness and use suitable fungicides as well.
General Lawn Care Practices For Disease Prevention
The thought base of “prevention is better than the cure” applies to lawn care too. Here’s a brief of the typical lawn care practices that you can follow to ensure your lawn remains in good condition.
- Ensure consistent mowing height and use sharp blades to prevent disease spread.
- Use the right amount and type of fertilizer to promote healthy growth.
- Try watering deeply but infrequently to let the soil dry out between watering.
- Aerate the lawn for improved soil drainage and air circulation.
- Use fungicides as and when needed.
Key Takeaways
Just like your body, your lawn needs ample care as well. It might get ill due to changing weather conditions or the introduction of some foreign agents. By familiarizing yourself with the aforesaid diseases and ways of combating them, you can easily forge a healthy lawn for yourself. Although it’s possible to care for your lawn on your own, it’s recommended to hire a professional lawn care specialist like us. We, at Worry Free Lawn Care, carry more than 25+ years of experience and are aware of every intricacy of lawn care. Partner with us and see your lawn come to life again!