The majority of grass illnesses or Lawn diseases are caused by an imbalance or reaction in the fungal population that lives naturally on all top-notch turf. The disease is not often brought on by fungi. In actuality, they spend the majority of their lives causing thatch to deteriorate. Fungi in turf can spread illness if two things happen: The conditions are favorable for illness.
Each turf disease is influenced by a different set of conditions. Some diseases first manifest themselves in the spring, while others do so in the summer, while yet others do so in the winter. Fortunately, it’s rare to get viruses that can completely ruin your lawn. Additionally, the more common ones frequently do-little harm.
The best strategy to stop the spread of diseases is to choose grass varieties with the highest levels of disease resistance. We take considerable care and pride in choosing the seed that will be used to grow our turf. The next best thing you can do to stop the spread of disease is to take proper care of your grass. Well-managed turf not only gets sick less often. But it also recovers from illnesses faster. Grass infections are rare, though. They occasionally show up when the right conditions are there because they are a part of nature. Discovering the disease that is attacking your territory is the first and most important step.
How to recognize common fungal diseases of the lawn
A fungal infection must have three components to manifest: disease pathogens, favorable meteorological conditions for disease propagation, and susceptible lawn grasses. When none of the three circumstances exist, grasses continue to have the edge. Although you have little influence over the weather, you can identify dangerous fungi, learn to recognize illnesses in your grass and lawn, and take the necessary precautions. Stressful times are when active fungal disease often emerges, according to where the grass is produced. For instance, cool-season grasses are more vulnerable to unexpectedly warm weather. While warm-season grasses suffer when unseasonably mild temperatures impede their growth. Excessive rainfall, aridity, and gloomy skies all have an impact on your law n’s capacity to defend itself.
The following lawn and grass disease information can assist you in identifying common fungal diseases of warm- and cool-season grasses, such as:
- Identify brown patch lawn disease
- Identify dollar spot lawn disease
- Identify grey leaf spot lawn disease
- Identify leaf spot lawn disease
- Identify Pythium lawn disease
- Identify red thread lawn disease
- Identify rust lawn disease
- Identify Snow Mold lawn diseases
- Identify summer patch lawn disease
Let us discuss it one by one:
- Identify brown patch lawn disease
1. Different-sized rings of lifeless, sunken grass that are up to three feet across may appear.
2. The grass dies and wilts, giving the circle’s edge a smoke-gray appearance.
3. The grass species most typically impacted by the brown patch is Bermudagrass, tall fescue, bentgrass, and perennial ryegrass. St. Augustine grass, fine fescue grasses, and Kentucky bluegrass are additionally frequently damaged. 1,2.
4. The best conditions for the brown patch lawn disease are created by warm to hot spring and fall temperatures.
5. Moist grass, high humidity, excessive fertilization, and an abundance of water all contribute to the spread.
- Identify dollar spot lawn disease
1. Silver dollar-sized circles stretch to a six-inch width before converging into enormous, chaotic blocks.
2. Straw-yellow patches of grass look to be saturated with water. In the morning light, the growth appears to be made of cobwebs.
3. Dollar spot often targets lawns with fine fescue, perennial ryegrass, bentgrass, and centipede grass. Additionally, typically impacted include Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, Zoysia grass, and Bermudagrass. 1,2
4. From late spring to late fall, mild to warm weather is more conducive to the development of dollar spot sickness.
5. Drought stress, thatch, excessive wetness, and under-fertilization can all harm grass.
- Identify grey leaf spot lawn disease
1. Tiny, irregular patches grow and combine to form vast damage zones.
2. On grass blades, there are tiny, bleached-out areas with dark brown borders. The patches turn fuzzy grey when they become wet.
3. Gary leaf spot more frequently affects tall grasses and persistent ryegrass. St. Augustine grass is frequently impacted by it as well. 1,2
4. From spring through fall, heavy precipitation, and somewhat high temperatures are favorable for the growth of grey leaf spots.
5. Excessive watering, fertilizing, and darkness are all factors that contribute to the spread of illness.
- Identify leaf spot lawn disease
1. Grasses have elongated, oval patches with dark purple-brown margins and brown centers.
2. The crowns and roots of grasses that are thinned and dying acquire a dark brown rot.
3. Leaf spot most frequently affects Bermudagrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass. Fine fescue, bentgrass, and Kentucky bluegrass are examples of secondary targets. 1,2
4. Warm-season grasses are at risk from very low temperatures, especially in excessively dry, compacted soil that needs aeration. Cool-season grasses are put in danger by abnormally high weather.
5. Excessive use of high-nitrogen fertilizer, extended moisture, shortening of the grass, and excessive humidity all support the disease.
- Identify Pythium lawn disease
1. Blades that are blackened and withering spread in patterns that match how water flows through the turf.
2. Grass turns brown and decays quickly, the roots turn brown, and the leaves seem greasy and stick together.
3. The two grass species most usually affected by pythium lawn diseases are bentgrass and perennial ryegrass. Fine fescue and bluegrass are also impacted by this disease.
4. Warm temperatures, consistent rain, and high humidity favor the disease from early summer to late fall.
5. The spread is accelerated by excessive shade, overwatering, excessive fertilization, and compacted soil.
- Identify red thread lawn disease
1. Red or bleached spots appear on grass blades as they begin to wilt from the tips.
2. Red spores can be visible on equipment, lawnmowers, and boots. Blades are bound together by reddish-pink threads.
3. Perennial ryegrass and fine fescue are the main hosts of red thread lawn disease. Bentgrass and bluegrass are frequently affected, too.
4. Mild early-spring temperatures and the chilly, rainy weather are conducive to illness.
5. Poor air circulation, too much shadow, heavy thatch, compacted soil, low fertiliser, and high humidity all have an effect.
- Identify rust lawn disease
1. Poor, thinning grass appears in erratic places as rust-colored flecks.
2. Orange-red pustules cover grass blades and are carried by tools, shoes, and lawnmowers.
3. The grasses that are most frequently affected by rust disease are perennial ryegrass, long fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and zoysia grass. Additionally affected are fine fescue and bentgrass.
4. From the start of the summer through the fall are the main disease seasons.
5. Drought, high humidity, extended wetness, excessive shadow, and insufficient fertilization make stressed grass more sensitive.
- Identify Snow Mold lawn diseases
1. A foot-long or larger patchwork pattern in a pinkish color.
2. The grass blades become sopped in water, change color to red-brown, and then become tan. In the early morning sun, fungus strands might be white or pinkish.
3. Infections of snow mold are more common in long and fine fescues. Perennial ryegrass, bentgrass, and Kentucky bluegrass are also damaged.
4. Unusual cool fall temperatures combined with rainy weather favor disease epidemics in the winter, especially when there is snow cover.
5. Excessive nitrogen fertilization in the fall and too much shade render grass fragile.
- Identify summer patch lawn disease
1. Green, healthy-looking grasses are surrounded by circles of tan-colored, dead, and dying grass.
2. Dark brown fungal threads may be present on the crowns, rhizomes, and stolons of grass plants.
3. The summer patch disease most usually affects fine fescue and Kentucky bluegrass. Secondary goals include perennial ryegrass and bentgrass.
4. Unusual high temperatures from the end of spring to the beginning of summer promote the growth of the disease.
5. Because of excessive soil moisture, compacted soil, poor drainage, and too-low mowing, the disease has an advantage.
Choosing the right lawn grass
All turfgrass kinds have both good and bad qualities. Not every lawn may benefit from the same type of perfect turfgrass. A grass that is suitable for your environment, level of anticipated use and maintenance, and aesthetic preferences should be used for your lawn. It ought to be somewhat immune to many diseases. For cool-season grasses (such as bluegrass, fescue, ryegrass, etc.), the ideal daily temperatures range from 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Warm-season grasses thrive in temperatures between 80° and 95°F. The majority of ailments frequently strike grasses while they aren’t actively developing. While cool-season grass is more vulnerable to disease infestations in the summer, warm-season grasslands are more vulnerable to them from late fall to early spring.
By all means, choose healthy grass that will flourish in your surroundings. For instance, illness may occur from stress brought on by excessive shade. Similar to how certain animals are more tolerant of drought and heat than others.
MANAGEMENT AND PREVENTION OF LAWN DISEASES
Once a disease of the grass or lawn has been identified, proper lawn care can help to treat it. The advantage of your grass can be restored via prevention and quick modifications in the lawn at the first signs of trouble. Use these methods to combat fungus to maintain your turf at its best:
- Maintain the ph of the soil at a level that lawn grasses require
- Fertilize effectively
- Water for strong, healthy, and resilient grass
- Select high-quality, water-efficient grass seed
- Adhere to proper mowing techniques
- Regular soil aeration and dethatching of lawns
- For serious infestations, use insecticides
Let us discuss it in detail:
- Maintain the ph of the soil at a level that lawn grasses require
Most lawn grasses like soil that is slightly acidic and has a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Because it always has access to essential nutrients. If you conduct routine soil tests and apply the proper soil amendments, your grass will remain robust and healthy.
- Fertilize effectively
Both mistakes raise the danger of disease on lawns: overfertilizing promotes sluggish, rushed growth, and under fertilizing leaves grass undernourished. Use top-notch lawn fertilizers, such as those sold under the Pennington UltraGreen brand, that release essential nutrients at the right times. Consult the instructions on the label for the appropriate amount.
- Water for strong, healthy, and resilient grass
By irrigating in the early morning when absorption levels are lower and the rising sun speeds drying, you can cut down on the amount of time grass is wet. To encourage strong, deep, drought-tolerant roots, water deeply once to twice a week rather than on a regular basis. A 4- to 6-inch depth of soil is absorbed by irrigation equal to 1 inch of precipitation on robust, established grass. Leave the automatic irrigation system off. Make modifications to take rain or a lack of it into consideration.
- Select high-quality, water-efficient grass seed
Use grasses suitable for your region and the amount of sun your yard receives. Choosing the right grass is essential for avoiding illness. Pennington Smart Seed can conserve up to 30% more water than ordinary grass seed, which helps to address watering-related problems. The premium seeding mixture in Pennington One Step Complete is designed to produce resilient grass and treat problem areas. An easy-to-use premixed package from Smart Seed contains grass seed, professional-grade fertilizer, and natural wood mulch.
- Adhere to proper mowing techniques
Hold your mower blades sharpened and cut your grass based on the growth of the grass, not the date. In a single mowing, only one-third of the height of the blade should be removed. Grass clippings should always be collected and disposed of; do not compost them if you suspect a fungal lawn illness. Some viruses that spread through grass cuttings can affect your compost pile.
- Regular soil aeration and dethatching of lawns
Up to 1/2-inch-thick thatch serves as a helpful mulch, but thatch that is thicker than that obstructs air and water flow and fosters disease. Similar principles apply to compacted dirt. Aeration on a regular basis will minimize compaction, and you should dethatch your grass as required to allow air, sunlight, and moisture to reach the soil’s surface and avoid disease.
- For serious infestations, use pesticides
Select pesticides that have been particularly licensed for the illness at hand when repairs alone are insufficient. Out goes Lilly Miller Moss! For instance, the 5 in 1 Broadleaf Weed & Moss Killer treats illnesses of the grass and lawn like rust, snow mold, and dollar spot. With the right modifications, the majority of other healthy lawns recover rapidly. Preventing issues is essential because many other lawn pesticides are only accessible to licensed applicators.
By becoming aware of the conditions that foster fungal lawn illnesses and learning to identify grass diseases, you can reduce your risk of contracting them and manage any problems as soon as they arise. With the help of Pennington grass seed and Pennington yard health products, you can keep your lawn grasses lush, beautiful, and resistant to fungal.
