Homeowners enjoy the sight of a healthy, lush green lawn on their property. A beautiful and appealing lawn enhances the home’s curb appeal and increases its value. A lot of care and maintenance goes into keeping the lawn in perfect condition. Residential lawn care involves regular mowing, weeding, watering, fertilizing, and raking for the plants and grass to thrive and inhibit disease development.
However, it is not uncommon for even the most meticulously cared-for lawn to suffer from diseases. Lawn disease control and recognition is very difficult, and prevention is the best way to keep them at bay. Lawn fungus is the main culprit behind most lawn diseases. Grass diseases caused due to fungal invasions can destroy a lawn and require pricey concrete lawn disease treatment or grass replacement as a restoration measure.
Bald spots and persistent discolored patches in the grass are the symptoms of an unhealthy lawn. Learning ways to prevent grass diseases is an inseparable part of lawn care that helps preserve the beauty and lushness of the grass.
What are Common Lawn Diseases?
Gray leaf spot, dollar spot, red thread, rust, snow mold, pythium, brown patch, leaf spot, and summer patch are the most common fungal lawn and grass diseases.
Weather conditions, lawn disease-causing agents or pathogens, and susceptible lawn grasses are the three factors that play a vital role in infecting a lawn with diseases.
Here are a few tips to keep the lawn healthy and prevent diseases:
Choose the Correct Lawn Grass
Certain varieties of grass are more susceptible to lawn and grass diseases. Plant the most disease-resistant grass variety recommended for the local environment. A lawn care professional can suggest the best grass variety after considering factors like light, sun, soil, and other conditions.
Water at the Right Time
Lawn grasses need water to grow and survive. Correct irrigation of the lawn can help avoid a host of grass diseases. Irrigate the lawn early in the morning to give the grass blades proper drying time and avoid frequent and too much watering. Irrigating in the evening keeps the grass wet for too long and invites fungus and mold. Overwatering weakens the roots and leads to soil waterlogging, limiting proper air circulation and creating favorable conditions for diseases.
Fertilize Correctly
Proper fertilization is essential for excellent lawn growth. However, avoid over-fertilizing and under-fertilizing the lawn. Correct nutrient balance prevents grass fungus growth and makes the grass less susceptible to diseases. Use a nitrogen-based fertilizer to safeguard as a grass fungus treatment.
Adopt Proper Mowing Practices
How a lawn is mowed has a significant effect on its disease-resisting abilities. Avoid cutting the grass too high or too low; keep the grass height at about three to four inches from the base. Do not cut more than one-third of the blade height during a single mowing session. Keep the mower blades sharp and never mow wet grass. Carefully remove and dispose of the clippings if there is a suspicion of any disease.
Aerate the Lawn
Aerate the lawn annually using an aeration device to let in oxygen and nutrients, allowing them easy access to the roots.
Do not Ignore Lawn Diseases
Act right away if there are any symptoms of grass diseases like brown patches or discoloration. Lawn fungus types spread rapidly, and when ignored, can damage the whole lawn and demand more time and money for treatment. Use a suitable fungicide for lawn treatment to eradicate the existing infestation and prevent its future occurrence.
Hire a Lawn Maintenance Service
A simple and effective way to keep the lawn healthy and prevent diseases is to hire a lawn maintenance service for regular lawn care and upkeep. The professionals can use the measures required to keep the grass healthy and disease-free. It is the best option for homeowners who wish to enjoy an attractive lawn without investing time and effort in its maintenance.
Lawn diseases are a severe threat to lawn health. Follow the tips mentioned above to circumvent the danger and keep the lawn and the grass lush and beautiful.c