Lawn Fungus Types: What To Look For
What is brown patch? How serious is root rot? The following are two of the most common diseases that are likely to develop on warm-weather lawns. Do keep in mind that there is a wide variety of fungal diseases that can affect your lawn. If you arent quite sure whats wrong with your lawn, call a lawn care company to help diagnose the problem.
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Disease Control For Your Lawn
Florida lawns have a pretty tough job that goes far beyond staying green and beautiful. Because of nasty fungi like Take-All Root Rot and Brown Patch, your lawn has to be strong in order to perform at its best. During each maintenance visit, our technicians perform an inspection in order to assess and treat any threat that has the potential to grow out of control. By using specific treatment methods designed for the lawn, we are able to minimize and eradicate trouble spots found around your lawn.
Does Cornmeal Work For Grass Fungus
For brown patches in your lawn, you can rely on horticultural cornmeal. This remedy helps with the fungus, and also provides the grass with healthy nutrients. So, how does the cornmeal treatment work? Essentially, it attracts the Trichoderma fungus which helps kill the harmful fungi in your lawn.
For every 1000 square feet of lawn, you would need about 10-20 pounds of cornmeal. The results should be visible in about three weeks. Apply 10 to 20 pounds of cornmeal per 1,000 square feet of lawn.
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How To Prevent Fungus
Water early in the day
Watering early in the day will allow your lawn to absorb the water and then dry off throughout the day. Watering late in the day or in the evening does not allow the lawn to dry and will promote fungus. Because fungus moves through water, a wet lawn will allow fungus to spread much faster.
Sharpen mower blades
It is always important to mow with sharp mower blades, but especially so when trying to prevent fungus. A dull blade can shred the grass blades leaving many openings for disease to enter.
Raise mowing height
When mowing, do not remove more than of the grass blade. This will allow the grass to stay healthy and strong. Scalping the lawn stresses the root system.
Dont over or under fertilize
Use high nitrogen fertilizer only in the spring. High nitrogen in late October/November will promote snow mold next year. When lawns have the right nutrients they need to grow, they are less susceptible to disease. Diseases such as red thread can often be controlled by adding nitrogen to your lawn.
Dethatch
Thatch is a layer of organic matter between the crown of the grass plants and the soil layer. Thatch can appear as a result of an imbalance in your soil or improper lawn maintenance practices.
We recommend removing thatch in the fall. Thatching brings up weed seeds and these are more prevalent in the spring. Use a heavy rake or thatching machine as needed to keep thatch to a minimum. The regular use of organics will help to keep thatch in order.
What Causes Candida Overgrowth
The proficiency of every component of your immune system is what determines whether or not Candida or other fungal infections will take hold in your body. Therefore, what permits Candida overgrowth will be factors that affect the immune systemand diet plays a major role.
While diet is the most vital corrective and preventative element of the immune system, there are several other immune-suppressing factors that often escape responsibility for weakening your bodys defenses:
alcohol intake
chronic or high stress
oral contraceptives
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How Much Does It Cost To Spray Lawn Fungus
The cost can vary based on the severity of your case and what products need to be used. Its important to know that there are also preventative products that can be sprayed proactively in order to prevent problems in the first place. In this case, the cost to repair damage is much greater than the cost to prevent it.
Feed Your Lawn Regularly
Nutrient deficiencies can weaken grass plants, so feed at least 4 times per year with Scotts® Turf Builder® Lawn Foods. A nourished lawn is better able to fend off diseases. To make the whole feeding process simple, sign up for our personalized Scotts® Lawn Care Programyouâll get exactly what your lawn needs, right when itâs time to apply it, delivered to your doorstep. You can also for your smartphone to customize and track your personal lawn care program.
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Do I Need To Treat Lawn Fungus Every Year
To answer this, we need to be clear that there are both preventative and curative products. If you want to be proactive in preventing lawn fungus then you do need to treat every year. However, when it comes to curative products, these are only applied when there is an existing infection. These products are more expensive than preventative products, plus you might need to deal with addressing some damage, so many homeowners choose to treat their lawn preventatively.
Using Organic Fungicide Recipes
Now that youve learned how to make your own fungicide, use it responsibly. The term organic leads some to believe that these mixtures are completely safe, which is untrue. Use all homemade fungicide for the lawn and garden carefully, especially around children and pets.
BEFORE USING ANY HOMEMADE MIX: It should be noted that anytime you use a home mix, you should always test it out on a small portion of the plant first to make sure that it will not harm the plant. Also, avoid using any bleach-based soaps or detergents on plants since this can be harmful to them. In addition, it is important that a home mixture never be applied to any plant on a hot or brightly sunny day, as this will quickly lead to burning of the plant and its ultimate demise.
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How To Get Rid Of Mushrooms In Yard Areas With Patience
Mushrooms are harmless but can be frustrating to a homeowner wondering how to get rid of mushrooms in yard areas where he or she has spent time and energy cultivating a beautiful lawn.
Removing mushrooms can help prevent further spread, but it doesnt kill the fungi below the surface, so you can expect to see more.
For the best chances of eliminating the fungi:
- let your lawn dry out before you water it,
- ensure that there is adequate drainage and airflow, and
- remove organic debris and waste that acts as a food source for fungi.
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How To Treat Brown Patches In Your Yard
Years ago, scientists took a soil sample from deep below the ice in Antarctica and found something: brown patch.
Brown patch is a fungus causing brown circles in your lawn during the hot humid months of summer. Why did they find it in Antarctica then? Because brown patch can remain dormant for many years. The reason you notice it now is because it has become active, the good news is we can control it!
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Fungicide Lawn Fungus Treatment
As a last resort, you may want to try a fungicide on your lawn. A fungicide can eradicate your lawn disease as you work on improving your lawn care regimen to prevent fungi from coming back.
There are two main types of fungicide. Liquid fungicide creates a liquid coat over the grass that kills the fungus spores. Granule fungicide comes in little pellets that are spread on the grass and get absorbed into the soil. Remember, fungicide is a chemical, so always wear proper personal safety equipment when using it, like gloves, goggles, long clothing and safety masks.
Fertilize Your Lawn Appropriately
Using too much fertilizer can make your grass prone to fungi. Too little fertilizer can do the same. If you are concerned about fungus on your lawn, it may be a good idea to try an organic, slow-release fertilizer.
Excess nitrogen in synthetic fertilizer quickly makes a lawn green but can also disturb the natural ecosystem of the lawn. If you want your grass to be less prone to disease, organic fertilizer may be the right solution.
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How To Stop The Lawn Fungus
When you spot a fungus problem in your lawn, correctly identify the particular types of disease responsible before deciding on a treatment or get a professional to examine it and proffer the right solution. The following outlines standard methods of treating a lawn with discoloration from fungi. Depending on the severity of the disease infestation on your grass, additional treatment can be applied.
How To Tell If Your Lawn Has Fungus
The most important step when you spot fungus or another problem on your lawn is to correctly identify the specific type of disease thats present. Different lawn issues have different causes and symptoms, and treating your grass for the wrong thing could only lead to more damage not to mention, youll still have to deal with the original issues. Before you invest in a treatment, therefore, take the time to closely examine the issue or better yet, get a professional to identify the disease so you know exactly what youre dealing with and choose the right treatment the first time.
There are a number of signs to watch out for that indicate a problem with your lawn, and some of them are more obvious than others. In most cases, discoloration is the most obvious sign, as grass will turn yellow, tan, or brown in spots. Keep in mind, though that its not always a disease that can cause this. Higher than normal temperatures, inadequate watering, and insects can also cause dead or dying areas, only underscoring the need for adequate identification.
Assuming that everything else is normal, discoloration is just one sign that your lawn is sick. Brown patches not attributable to pets, slimy patches of grass, a film covering the grass and spots on individual blades of grass are all signs of an issue. While specific fungi and lawn diseases have unique signs, some of the most common types of disease and fungus include:
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What Causes Lawn Fungus
Excessive heat and humidity are the leading causes of fungus. As mentioned above, fungus often occurs in times of stress, such as drought, long rainy seasons, and overwatering.
Fungus often develops because water stays on the leaf surface far too long. Mycelia use the water as a highway to travel from leaf-to-leaf. This allows the fungus to spread to other parts of the lawn.
This is also the reason that you should not walk through your lawn when it is battling fungus. If there is moisture on the lawn you can spread the fungus across the grass.
Another cause of fungus is undernourishment. When grass does not have the right amount of nutrients it is more susceptible to disease.
After it rains, theres typically more water available in the soil for the grass plants. When plants take up that water, they are also taking up nutrients thats in the soil. The more it rains, the faster that nitrogen is used up. If the nitrogen is not replenished, the problem will continue.
How To Identify Fungal Infection
- Brown Patches or colonies observed
- Powdery or threadlike coatings on a leaf or stem blades
- Dead and rough grass
- Enhanced rings and spots
- Various colors association visible
Now let us see specifics about identifying the patches and the fungus associated with them. We will talk here about the most commonly observed fungus that you can observe easily.
- Brown patches
- Red Thread
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Will Lawn Fungus Go Away On Its Own
If you spot fungus on the grass, you might be tempted to wait it out and see what happens. Unfortunately, lawn fungus will typically not just go away on its own. Though there are some occasions it can start to resolve itself, more often than not, its a problem that is likely to spread and grow worse if left untreated. In fact, some of the more aggressive forms of lawn fungus can spread in a matter of 24 to 48 hours taking your problem from a small one, to a significant one.
Disease Control For Your Shrubs And Palms
The large variety of palm trees and shrubs that beautify a landscape require proper care and attention in order to maintain their strength and beauty. At Natural Green, we are well aware that each plant or tree must be treated and cared for in a specific manner. Our technicians are trained to effectively use our products to treat each plant and tree so that they can fight off the threat of diseases.
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Its A Simple Solution
Lawn fungal diseases have many faces. From brown patches to highly visible spots, threads, rings, or slime. How to treat lawn fungus naturally? Grass fungal diseases can be difficult to treat when your yard becomes affected.
The good news is the right lawn care practices can help towards prevention and treatment of lawn fungus. Although extreme cases fungal growth and infestation might require a fungicide to help control fungal growth
Causes of Lawn Fungal Disease
Your lawn is naturally full of fungi and spores, some harmless and some problematic, but the right conditions can cause grass fungus to erupt into a harmful disease. The most common causes of a lawn fungal disease are:
- Drought
- Improper mowing
- Compacted soil
- Too much fertilizer
- Wrong grass type for your yard Using a warm season grass in a northern area.
- Weather conditions
Identify Lawn Fungal Diseases
Some signs that your lawn may have a fungal disease include are very noticeable and can easily be seen:
- White, yellow, or brown patches or rings that grow in diameter.
- Thin patches of frayed, distorted, or discolored grass blades.
- Gray, black, red, orange, or purple spots on blades or stems.
- Gray, black, or pink powdery or threadlike coatings on and around grass blades.
- Areas of darkened, wet-looking, slimy, or greasy-looking grass.
Prevention and Treating Lawn Fungal Diseases
Steps to take control of fungal diseases in your lawn:
Organic and Chemical Treatments
How To Get Rid Of Lawn Rust
As if the unattractive yellowish-orange tint that lawn rust gives your turf werent bad enough, this fungus also weakens and thins out your grass. While lawn rust might look like a serious disease, it isnt hard to get rid of.
Taking steps to improve the overall health of your lawn is often enough to clear up the problem.
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What Is Brown Patch
Brown patch is a soil-living fungus which becomes active in humid months where temperatures reach the mid 80s during the day, and mid to upper 70s overnight.
Like the name would lead you to believe, brown patch causes a brownish discoloration of your turfgrass. More specifically, it starts out with lesions on the grass blades .
As brown patch develops, these lesions spread to cover the entire grass blade, causing thinning and matting of the turf. On shorter lawns, these patches may appear to have a “smoke ring” of dark gray around the outer edge.
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:
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How To Identify Grass Fungus On Your Lawn
Maintain Your Trees And Shrubs
When you have trees and shrugs around you, its important to always drain your soils properly and remove dead stems and leaves. You can also use preventative fungicides to prevent potential infections and diseases from growing.
Make sure that nearby plants and trees are not encroaching on your tree. Air flow is important. Trim back anything that interferes with your trees freedom, and be especially wary of vines that might start growing from the ground up.
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Does Milk Kill Fungus
Milk is an organic fungicide and can be very effective at killing powdery mildew. You can create a spray by mixing the following two ingredients:
- 1 cup skimmed milk
- 9 cups of water
Every other week, apply this mixture to the lawn. Using too much milk can result in sooty mould, so stick to the exact recipe.