Lawn and turf diseases can occur when weather and/or lawn practices favor disease development. Very often, hot and humid weather contributes to diseases. Excess moisture, such as is provided from watering a lawn in the afternoon instead of the early morning hours can cause diseases as well.
Luckily, lawn diseases can be treated with a few different approaches. Sometimes an application of fertilizer can give the grass what it needs to outgrow the disease. Changing lawn practices such as watering amounts and times and cutting the grass at the appropriate length (3-3 1/2″) can also help with lawn fungus. If neither of these methods will help, sometimes a lawn fungicide treatment is necessary and will eliminate the problem.
Below are some of the most common turf diseases that we deal with in this region.
Snow Mold Fungus:
Snow Mold
Snow Mold
Snow mold is a fungus that appears in the early spring. It is caused by the snow sitting on top of the lawn during the winter. Drainage problems and heavy winters can contribute to worse years of snow mold presence. It is recommended to rake out any damage, and if severe enough a fungicide can be applied to help.
Red Thread:
Red Thread Fungus
Red Thread Fungus
Red Thread is a fungus that can cause spots in the yard as pictured above. These can appear yellow to brown in color, but upon closer inspection, you will see that they are actually red or pinkish in color. Red thread can be treated with an application of fertilizer if it is mild, but may require a fungicide treatment if it is more severe.
Dollar Spot:
Dollar Spot Fungus
Dollar Spot Fungus
Dollar Spot fungus appears much like red thread from a distance, but is much different when you examine closely. As you can see in the picture, the disease makes an hour-glass shaped lesions on the grass blade. A fungicide is often required to control dollar spot.
Leaf Spot:
Leaf Spot
Leaf Spot can cause yellow or brown spots in the yard. If you look closely there are black spots on the blades of grass which is the fungus. Leaf spot can be corrected with a lawn fungicide.
Rust:
Rust on Shoes
Rust
Rust is a fungus that appears when the weather is hotter. It is most easily identified in the way in which it turns your shoes orange when the affected areas are walked through. Many times the condition can be corrected with an application of fertilizer, but severe cases may require a fungicide treatment.
