There are different types of lawn diseases. Knowing how to identify them is essential for your lawn’s health. These diseases are not only unpleasant but also damaging to your lawn. Learn how to identify these diseases so you can prevent the spread of them and prevent costly damage to your lawn.
Brown patch
If you have a lawn prone to brown patches, it is important to identify and treat the disease early on. Brown patches are caused by a fungus that lives in the soil. When conditions are right for it to take hold, it can destroy your lawn in no time. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to get rid of this problem. Listed below are some tips that can help you prevent it in the future.
Identifying the problem is not always easy, but it is possible. A brown patch on your lawn can be hard to miss, especially if you notice a brown ring around the edges. Infected warm-season grasses usually have rotted leaf sheaths that are close to the soil surface. You can use fungicides to treat the problem, but a better approach is to focus on good lawn care practices and preventive maintenance.
Necrotic ring spot
Necrotic ring spot is a common lawn disease that affects turf, most often in areas with sprinkler systems. This fungus attacks grass roots and can cause a ring of brown or black discoloration around the infected areas. The ring can vary in size and is usually more prominent in dense turf. Infested turf will have rotted roots and may also exhibit pseudothecia and fruiting bodies. Symptoms may occur in just a few weeks, or they can be noticeable for months.
The best way to prevent necrotic ring spot is to maintain a balanced fertilization program. This includes nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Nitrogen fertilizers should be used at a rate that is slow-release to help the lawn plant absorb nutrients evenly throughout the season. This will prevent the lawn from experiencing bursts of growth and reduce the severity of the disease.
Pythium blight
The good news is that you can treat your lawn for Pythium blight with the proper fungicide. This disease is a common occurrence, and there are several different types of fungicides you can choose from. However, you should read the label on each fungicide product carefully to ensure the effectiveness of the product on your lawn.
The first symptoms of Pythium blight are the development of small, circular patches of water-soaked turf. They are often surrounded by cotton-like mycelium. These symptoms can appear very quickly in lawns under favorable conditions and cause large areas of grass to die in as little as 24 hours. If you find patches of infected grass in your lawn, it is crucial to treat them as soon as possible.
Red thread
The symptoms of lawn disease can vary. Some symptoms are more apparent in the early morning, while others are more obvious in the late afternoon or evening. Red thread disease, for example, is characterized by the presence of thin red threads in the blades of grass. The fungus thrives in moist and warm conditions and is often caused by inadequate fertility, drought, or compacted soil. Proper lawn care is essential to prevent the spread of red thread, including regular mowing, fertilizer, aeration, and thatch reduction.
Rust diseases can appear as irregular patches on your lawn. They can also cause your grass blades to turn orange or yellow. These diseases tend to occur in the late summer or early fall when conditions are moister than normal. While most people don’t notice rust diseases until they see them, it’s important to pay attention to these symptoms so that you can take action promptly.
Snow mold
Snow mold is a type of lawn disease that commonly affects established lawns. This disease occurs due to heavy thatch, or a layer of dead grass that forms on the soil. This layer of dead grass supplies an abundance of organic matter, which is ideal for snow mold growth. The best way to avoid snow mold on your lawn is to avoid heavy thatch and keep your lawn as dry as possible.
Snow mold is most common in early spring when snows cover ground that has not fully frozen. The warm ground underneath the snow harbors fungi and is the ideal environment for snow mold growth. If you experience a mild winter without much snow, however, you will likely not have a problem with this lawn disease. Typically, you can treat fungal spots on your lawn using non-chemical treatments.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of your lawn is challenging if you don’t have the time. You can always reach out to a professional landscaping contractor and they will be able to help you with your next landscaping project.
