Spring is the season that is filled with new growth and lots of hard work. It seems like there are a million things you have to do before the planting season starts. If you aren’t careful, you could overlook common lawn diseases that could be hiding in your lawn. Lawn diseases may begin innocently enough but they can grow larger and kill large portions of your grass.
Brown Patch
Brown patch occurs when your soil is not draining properly or there is too much water on your grass. This disease loves the hot humid conditions we experience in the spring and summer. Brown patch looks like small brown patches on your grass that could easily be dismissed for a pet’s urine spot or a place where oil was leaking. If you notice brown patches in your yard, keep an eye on them and watch if they grow in size. Brown patch can range from a few inches to several feet in diameter.
Dollar Spot
Dollar spot is another lawn disease that is caused by too much moisture on your grass for a long period of time. The fungus that causes dollar spot becomes active in the spring when average low temperatures rise above 50 degrees. To prevent dollar spot all you need to do is pay attention to your irrigation methods; water early in the morning to prevent your grass from remaining wet overnight. Remove and dispose of infected grass clippings to contain the spread.
Red Thread
Red thread is a disease that comes in two stages. The first stage is characterized by narrow, red, needle-like strands that jut out from the grass blade. These are stromata and they can remain active in the soil for up to two years. The second stage appears as a pink, cotton-like substance found in between blades of grass.
The fungus that causes red thread disease becomes active during the cool and wet conditions of spring and fall. Red thread doesn’t like high heat and will slow down when temperatures rise over 75 degrees. The fungus will cease altogether when temperatures rise above 85 degrees. Areas that are the most susceptible to red thread are areas that are lacking in nutrition or stressed grass. Infected areas can transmit the disease by water, wind, and contaminated tools and lawn equipment.
To manage red thread you need to make the conditions for it unfavorable. That means using a balanced nitrogen fertilizer. A small application of nitrogen-based fertilizer will help reduce the severity of the disease.
Necrotic Ring Spot
Necrotic ring spot may appear as brown patch or dollar spot but this disease is much more severe. The fungus that causes necrotic ring spot attacks the crowns and roots of infected cool-season grasses. The grasses that are the most vulnerable to necrotic ring spot are Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, tall fescue, and fine fescue. What gives necrotic ring spot its name is the way it appears on your lawn. As the disease spreads, the healthy grass on the outer edge of the ring begins to die while the grass in the center remains green. You can help prevent necrotic ring by following proper irrigation methods and overseeding with stronger variants of grass.
Make Pine Valley Your Choice For Lawn Care
At Pine Valley Turf, we have been creating amazing yards for the members of our community for over fifteen years. We offer three different lawn care packages that are guaranteed to make your lawn look absolutely stunning.
Are you tired of dealing with pests like mosquitoes, fire ants, and grub? We have a pest control program that will rid your yard of any pests. We continue to protect your yard throughout the year with follow-up applications.
Stop waiting around watching the grass grow and call us at (704) 831-8917 or request a quote here. Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on all the latest news and check out our blog for more helpful lawn care tips.