Lawn fungus falls under the “better safe than sorry” category because once you have it, you will be sorry. Being proactive is key to preventing fungus from showing up in your beautiful grass. Fungal lawn disease can take a variety of forms, and treatment after it appears requires professional intervention to take care of it effectively. Here is why you should consider using a lawn care service to help treat lawn fungus for your Whitehall, PA, yard.
Causes of Lawn Fungus
There are factors that work together to make your lawn susceptible to fungus. Mowing at a too low height can leave your grass vulnerable because it removes some of the grass’s ability to make food and retain nutrients. Too little water and overwatering are harmful. Using the wrong grass type for the Pennsylvania climate can lead to lawn fungus. And using too much or the wrong type of fertilizer can weaken the turf and allow disease to spread.
Types of Lawn Fungus
Unfortunately, there is more than one type of lawn fungus. Brown patch disease can spell disaster for cool season grasses such as fescue. Usually, by the time you notice it, the brown patch has spread to most of the yard. Large patch is a disease that can strike in spring or autumn. It may start as a small patch of diseased grass and growing quickly to the footprint of a car. Pythium blight affects grass seedlings, causing new grass that sits in puddles of water to mold and die. Dollar spot is a fungus that can occur during cool nights with heavy dew. Summer patch does its damage in early spring but does not show up until late summer when the turf is stressed.
Related: A Guide to Year-Round Lawn Care in Berks County, PA
Treatment for Lawn Fungus
Before treating lawn fungus, it is critical to identify the exact disease as fungicides are not one size fits all. The grass type and the weather conditions that led to the fungus will affect the appropriate treatment. Excessive rain or drought can wreak havoc on even the most healthy lawns. Fungal spores are difficult to get rid of, and they can return if not properly handled.
The Best Treatment Is Prevention
Feeding your lawn is one of the best ways to prevent fungus. When the grass does not have the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and thrive, disease can enter the picture. Fertilize twice per year with a proper balance of nutrients to keep your lawn vigorous.
Water only in the morning, and water deeply to 4-5 inches in the soil. The grass needs time to dry or the moisture left on the blades can breed fungus.
It’s also best to have a schedule of mowing often and high. Grass should be mowed at a height of 3-4 inches in order to keep a cover for the roots. Mowing grass too low can cause the turf to weaken, and this is the setting for disease to take over.
The correct fungicide and fertilizer should be applied for your particular grass type. A professional lawn care service will know just what to do to keep your yard well fed, properly watered, and protected from not only fungus but weeds and unwanted pests as well.
