How To Identify Lawn Fungus

How To Treat Rust Lawn Disease

If youve identified rust as the problem in your lawn, you should take action right away. First, make sure your lawn is well fed and sufficiently watered. If you dont see any improvement within a couple of weeks, apply a systemic lawn fungus control. Because stressed, hungry, and improperly irrigated lawns are more susceptible to rust diseases, one of the best ways to help prevent them is to keep your lawn healthy and strong.

What Is Dollar Spot

Dollar Spot is a fungus with the name referring to a small, sunken, circular patch 1.5 to 5cm in diameter on the surface of your lawn.

The Dollar Spot patches turn from brown to a straw colour on your lawn and may eventually merge into larger irregular shaped areas.

Dollar Spot is often due to inadequate nutrients in the soil or poor lawn care, such as watering at night, thatch build-up, soil compaction and poor drainage.

Infected leaves may display small lesions that turn from yellow-green to straw colour with a reddish-brown border.

Dollar Spot is more prevalent on your lawn in autumn and spring during warm day temperatures, high humidity and cool nights that produce heavy dews.

What Is Fusarium Patch

Fusarium Patch is a type of fungus on your lawn that appears in a small circular, water-soaked patch less than 5cm in diameter.

Fusarium Patch change in colour from orange-brown to dark brown and finally to a light gray.

The Fusarium Patches may enlarge indefinitely but are usually less than 20cm in diameter.

On a low-cut lawn, a halo-like smoke ring may appear on the outer margin of the Fusarium Patch and the outer ring may also have a water-soaked appearance.

Conditions favouring Fusarium Patch include consecutive wet days of cool temperatures which could occur in either autumn or spring.

If a lawns soil is high in nitrogen but low in phosphorous and potassium, then conditions are rife for the growth of Fusarium Patch.

Lawn areas with slow growing conditions and heavy thatch development also favour Fusarium Patch.

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S To Get Rid Of Fairy Rings

Red Thread Appears On Turf Grasses As Small To Light Pink Or Red Patches Infected Patches Of Grass Turn Light Tan And The Leaf Tips Or Margins May Be Covered With Fine Pink To Red Threads Giving The Turf An Overall Pink Coloration

Most grass species are affected, but fine leaf fescues and perennial rye grasses are often severely damaged. Development of this disease is favored by prolonged periods of moisture , or watering in late evening. Increased severity occurs on lawns that have a high thatch layer, as well as lawns that are nutrient deficient. Red thread can be spread by walking over infected areas to non-infected areas, as well as mowing and leaving the grass clippings on the lawn. Red thread is best controlled with a combination of proper cultural practices and fertilization.

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Common Types Of Lawn Disease

Brown Patch This is perhaps the most common of all lawn diseases. Brown Patch is caused by a specific fungus that can ravage both warm and cool grass types. It is characterized by circular patches of grass that appear to be dead or dying, and the patches will have somewhat irregular edges. Humid weather can promote the growth of this disease, with warmer temperatures inviting Brown Patch to invade cool-season grasses and moderate temperatures leading to the spread of disease across warm-season grasses.

Dollar SpotAnother very common lawn disease in Kansas, Dollar Spot is most active in hot and humid weather. Individual grass blades will begin to turn tan or yellow in color, and the discoloration will often spread to spots of affected grass that are roughly the size of a silver dollar . These spots are much smaller than those caused by Brown Patch, and they will often appear to be slightly sunken into the lawn.

Red Thread The fungus that causes this unique-looking disease targets cool-season grasses, such as fescue and Kentucky bluegrass. It is most commonly observed in spring and is characterized by light red threads taking over grass blades and causing them to mat together. This disease will primarily affect struggling lawns that are already stressed from other environmental factors.

Preventing & Treating Lawn Fungal Diseases

If you are dealing with a fungus outbreak in your yard, you can remedy the issue through better lawn maintenance. Not only will this help you get rid of lingering fungi, it will also prevent an outbreak from occurring again.

Always be mindful of how much water you are using to care for your lawn, and make sure you do not overwater or underwater. Apply just the right amount of water for the best results. When applying fertilizer, try to put down an even layer, and avoid using too much of it at once.

Aerating your lawn is also a good idea, since it loosens up the soil and allows it to absorb more nutrients, which lets the grass grow evenly. In addition, avoid cutting your lawn too short next time you have to mow the lawn. Finally, the type of grass you are growing may not match up with the climate in your area, so consider planting a new type that suits your landscape better.

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Controlling Lawn Fungus In Your Yard

by rob | Jan 23, 2015 | Fall Lawn Care, Lawn Maintenance Tips |

In the Pacific Northwest, lawn fungus affects all types of grass and occurs in a variety of weather conditions. From cool, wet weather of fall and winter to warm periods of the summer, this fungus can turn your beautiful yard into a brown patch of dead grass, and it can be a nightmare to eliminate.

So how can you ensure a healthy, green yard this year? While no grass is completely disease-proof, you can control the spread of fungal disease in your yard through proper identification and lawn care treatment. Lets take a look at what causes lawn fungus, how to identify it, and what you can do to eliminate it.

You Have Options When Turf Diseases Crop Up In Your Central & Southern Maryland Lawn

When lawn fungus erupts, it can make your lawn look shabby and tired and very discolored and splotchy during those prime summer months.

Turf diseases may be stealth-like in their ability to appear out of nowhere. But the knowledge you can obtain to better understand them and their growing tendencies gives you the power to fight back and protect your beloved lawn from these villains.

Choosing Natural Green for a lawn fungus control program helps you put a true superhero on your team to help you protect your lawn from the spread of turf disease.

Are turf diseases keeping you from having a lawn you can be proud of? Wed love to learn more. Get started today with a free quote. Together, well prepare a customized plan that leads you to the best choice for you and your lawn.

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Understanding Fungal Lawn Disease

When we talk about fungal disease in your lawn, we are talking about the overwhelming spread of certain fungi that will cause damage to your turf, which is known as lawn disease. Under certain conditions, the fungal spores in lawns will rapidly multiply and destroy everything green in their path. Wind, rain, excess debris, and generally unhealthy turf can all spread lawn disease. This damage is characterized by dead, thinning, and/or discolored patches of grass, and the following situations could lead to such problems in your yard:

• Temperatures between 75 and 90 F
• Hot days leading into cool nights
• High humidity
• Poor drainage in your yard
• Watering your lawn at dusk
• Diseased leaves in your yard

• Overwatering
• Having a susceptible grass species

Maximize Proper Turf Care

To keep turf disease at bay, target that list above. Put these action items on your to-do list:

• Dont mow your lawn below 3 inches at a time or remove more than of the total height of the grass blade in one mowing.
• Dont water at night or every day.
• Dont water more than 1.5 inches a week.
• Dont ignore fertilization or pile on extra fertilization. More is never better.
• Dont skip annual aeration.
• Dont ignore weather conditions that could lead to lawn fungus growth.

Keeping your lawn health at its best will help it survive the peak of turf disease growth.

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Can I Spray Lawn Fungus Myself

There are lawn fungicide products sold at big box stores and hardware stores for the DIYer. However, you need to find the product thats rated specifically for your lawn disease in order for it to be effective. That means that you need to make a proper diagnosis as to what type of lawn fungus youre dealing with. You also need to make sure that you apply it properly. When homeowners start thinking about everything involved, they often decide theyd rather just let a professional handle it. Professional lawn fungicides are also going to be more powerful.

What It Is And Isnt

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Fairy Rings Are A Common Problem In Residential Lawns The Disease Is Caused By Soil

Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of this fungus. In many cases fairy ring begins by decomposing a large underground source of organic matter. Nutrients are released, especially nitrogen, which accounts for the dark green color. As the fungus progresses, it grows rapidly sending many fungal strands outward, decomposing organic matter in its path. Damage to lawns is caused in three ways:

Treatment Options

There is no sure control for fairy ring. Regular fertilization, aeration and over-seeding will help minimize the impact. Heavily watering the area can provide some temporary relief to the surrounding turf. If you catch the ring when it is small you may get control by digging out the soil. This is done by removing all the soil within the ring and extending outside the ring removing the soil as if it were an entire circle. Add fresh topsoil and then the area can be seeded or sodded.

How To Treat Summer Patch Lawn Disease

Prevent summer patch by not cutting more than 2/3 the length of grass when you mow. Taking that much length from grass that has been left to grow long is the cause most associated with the cause of this disease. Known as scalping, the practice of mowing too closely weakens the grass and makes it vulnerable to infection. Avoid adding nitrogen-based fertilizer to your soil in summer. Watering lightly and frequently in hot weather is another practice to avoid as it dampens the shallow areas where magnaporthe poae resides, helping promote its development. Soil aeration is important to prevent thatch buildup and improve drainage. Because summer patch can cause massive damage in a short time, fungicides are often necessary to combat its spread.

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How To Get Rid Of Mushrooms In Mulch

Mushroom outbreaks are very difficult to remove from mulch. Mulch is an ideal food source for many mushrooms.

To get rid of mushrooms in mulch follow the steps below:

1. Remove the mushrooms by hand. Bag them in plastic and seal the bags so the spores dont spread.

2. Dig up the mushroom root mass . Bag this up and seal it as well.

3. Use soap and water to kill the remaining root mass. Mix 1 tbsp of soap with 1 gallon of water and spray over mulch.

4. Use commercial mushroom killers as needed.

What Is Lawn Rust

Rust is a fungal disease that occurs on your lawn when its growth is slowed.

Rust usually appears in late summer or early autumn and during periods of dry weather or when the grass is low on nitrogen.

Lawn Rust weakens the strength of your lawn and makes it more susceptible to other diseases and turf problems.

The Rust is identified by pulling a couple of blades out of the lawn. The lawn blades will be coated with orange-red to yellowish brown dust or spores.

Lawn rust begins with yellowing leaf blades and small yellowish spots which mature to orange, red or brown colouring.

The Rusts spores can be rubbed off the grass blades with a finger.

Overall, rust patches of the grass will become thin and weak.

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How To Prevent And Treat Lawn Fungal Diseases

A simple change in your lawn care practices may be enough to prevent or eradicate lawn fungal disease. At other times nature may deliver a soggy spring or summer heat wave that just cant be helped. Stressed or unhealthy lawns are much more likely to develop disease so the better you care for your lawn, the better the grass will be able to handle the natural conditions in your area.

Follow these steps to help take control of fungal diseases in your lawn:

Will Lawn Fungus Go Away On Its Own

Unfortunately, lawn fungus will not disappear if left untreated. The most effective way to manage yard fungus is to use a fungicide and practice good turf management. Fungicides are designed to inhibit energy production at the cellular level and to harm cell membranes, which eventually kills the fungi that is attacking your grass. As with any type of pesticide, homeowners should do their research to identify the type of fungicide needed to manage a particular type of lawn fungus and make sure solutions are applied carefully and according to manufacturer instructions. Make sure to avoid overusing fungicide to prevent additional damage to your grass. If you are unsure about how to correctly apply treatments, contact a trusted pest professional.

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How To Identify & Treat Lawn Fungus

Grass, just like any plant, can be afflicted with fungal diseases. Fungal diseases spread through fungus spores that usually do nothing to grass. However, under the right conditions, these fungal pathogens can spread and cause disease.

There isnt just one type of fungal disease, either: there are dozens, and some types of fungal disease are more common in some areas than others. For this reason, its important to understand what fungal infections can be hurting your grass, how they spread, and how to prevent them.

How To Maintain Your Lawn To Help Reduce Brown Patch

A healthy lawn is a stronger lawn and will be better able to withstand fungal diseases like brown patch. Follow these guidelines:

• Plant disease-resistant varieties and seed mixtures. For example, Scotts® Turf Builder® Grass Seed Heat-Tolerant Blue® Mix for Tall Fescue Lawns combines improved turf-type tall fescue varieties with a heat-tolerant Kentucky bluegrass to help reduce the impact of brown patch on your lawn.
• Reduce the amount of time the grass blades are wet. When needed, water during the early morning hours. Dont water between 7:00 PM and 3:00 AM, as the blades will stay wet overnight.
• Feed the lawn regularly with Scotts® Turf Builder® Lawn Food. Be sure to follow label directions, as overfed lawns are more susceptible to brown patch.
• Unless it is a controlled-release product, dont apply nitrogen fertilizer when hot, humid weather is expected .

Since wet conditions help promote brown patch, make sure your lawn has good drainage and air flow, and consider pruning overgrown trees to prevent too much shade and increase air movement for faster drying. It may also be helpful to aerate and dethatch the lawn every 1 to 3 years to allow air, water, and nutrients to move more freely into the soil.

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Dollar Spot Is A Common Disease Of All Turf Grasses In The Summer Months Dollar Spot Gets Its Name From The Size Of The Affected Area Of The Lawn

There is a general blighted appearance, and individual leaf blades have hourglass legions with a bleached center, sunken edges and brown borders. Infected leaf blades eventually die leading to quarter or dollar sized dead spots in the lawn.

Dollar spot is more severe on lawns that do not receive the right amount of fertilizer. Warm days and nights with heavy morning dew enhance this disease. Dollar spot can be managed by using the following techniques: