Lawn diseases don’t usually pose a big threat to homeowners’ lawns. Most lawns stay healthy with proper lawn care. However, sometimes an outbreak can occur after long periods of heat and humidity.
Sports fields and golf courses are more susceptible to these diseases due to heavy use and intense conditioning. As a homeowner, you rarely need to use fungicides to prevent or treat lawn diseases.
If you notice a dead or dying spot on your lawn, it’s helpful to know if it’s caused by a disease or simply due to a pet’s behavior. Identifying a lawn disease can also give you clues about the cause and help you decide if there’s anything you can do to address it.
Lawn Care Tips: Dealing With Common Diseases
There are several diseases that can affect your lawn under certain conditions. Here are some of the most common ones:
Brown Patch
A brown patch is a lawn disease that can affect your grass during periods of heat and humidity. It appears as circular patches in the lawn with a brownish-yellow color, ranging from small spots to several feet in diameter. While it’s not a significant threat to homeowners’ lawns, it can be harmful to cool-season grasses such as ryegrass and tall fescue, and also to certain warm-season grasses like St. Augustine grass and Zoysia grass.
The disease is most likely to occur when there are extended periods of hot and humid weather, especially when the temperatures at night stay above 68°F. To identify brown patches, look for those circular patches with brownish discoloration.
Proper lawn care in Myrtle Beach, such as regular mowing, adequate watering, and proper fertilization, can help prevent and control brown patches. If you suspect a brown patch on your lawn, it’s best to consult with a local lawn care expert or extension office for specific treatment recommendations.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease that affects various plants, including lawns. It is most prevalent on cool-season grasses, with Kentucky bluegrass being particularly susceptible. The disease can quickly appear on your lawn, especially in shady areas and during cloudy or overcast periods.
To identify powdery mildew, look for a white, powdery, dust-like coating on the leaf blades of your grass. This coating is a clear sign of the disease’s presence. While powdery mildew may not cause severe damage to your lawn, it can affect its overall appearance and health.
Proper lawn care practices, such as providing good air circulation, reducing shade, and avoiding overwatering, can help prevent and manage powdery mildew. In severe cases, fungicides may be necessary, but it’s always best to consult with a lawn care professional before applying any chemicals to your lawn.
Red Thread
A red thread is another common lawn disease that often appears as red or pink webbing on the grass. This disease is most likely to occur when there are low levels of nitrogen in the soil. Cool-season grasses, such as ryegrass, red fescue, bentgrass, and Kentucky bluegrass are at risk of red thread.
Snow Mold
Snow mold is a fungal disease that can appear in early spring as the snow melts. There are two types: pink snow mold and gray snow mold. The former damaging as it infects the crown of the plant, while the latter mainly affects the leaf tissue.
Snow mold is caused when there’s an extended period of snow cover on the ground that is not entirely frozen. It can also occur under leaves that have not been cleaned up or among long grasses that should have been mowed before winter. To identify snow mold, look for matted, straw-colored patches on the lawn where the snow has melted.
Preventing snow mold involves proper lawn care before winter sets in. Ensure that your grass is not too long when the snow arrives, as long grass can trap moisture and encourage snow mold development. Also, remove any fallen leaves and debris from the lawn before the first snowfall to minimize the risk of snow mold. In severe cases, fungicides can be used, but it’s best to consult with a lawn care expert for guidance.
Fairy rings are arcs of mushrooms that can appear in grassed areas or forests naturally. You’ll find three kinds of fairy rings on lawns. The first one comes with a dark green flush of growth and an area of dying grass and mushrooms. The second one come with only a dark green ring and mushrooms. Finally, there are fairy rings that come with only mushrooms.
Unlike other lawn diseases, fairy rings do not cause widespread damage to the grass. However, they are challenging to get rid of, so they are often just left alone. While they may not be harmful, their appearance can sometimes be undesirable to homeowners. Fairy rings are a natural occurrence caused by specific fungi in the soil.
There is no specific treatment for fairy rings, and their presence does not necessarily indicate a problem with your lawn’s health. If you find fairy rings on your lawn and have concerns about them, consulting with a lawn care expert like Conner’s Lawn Care Service can provide you with more information and guidance on how to handle them.
By understanding and recognizing these common lawn diseases, you can take appropriate measures to prevent and manage them, ensuring that your lawn stays healthy and beautiful throughout the year. Regular lawn maintenance, proper watering, mowing, and fertilization are essential practices to keep your lawn disease-free and thriving.
If you ever have doubts or encounter severe lawn issues, don’t hesitate to seek advice from a lawn care professional. Call Conner’s Lawn Care Service now.
Conner’s Lawn Care Service
Myrtle Beach, SC
843-504-4901
http://connerslawncare.com/
