Grass is a living entity made up of millions of microorganisms that allow your lawn to thrive. Fungus spores actually exist in all lawns and can be beneficial, but when the conditions are right, hot & humid (good ole’ Florida), it can cause an excess of spores that can suffocate each grass blade or overcrowd your lawn. Lawn fungus is a common problem that can cause discoloration, wilting, and even death of grass in affected areas.
Common Types
There are many different types of lawn fungus, each with its own set of symptoms and preferred growing conditions. Some common types of lawn fungus include dollar spot, brown patch, and red thread.
Dollar Spot is the most identifiable as small circles of dead or dry grass. They often are even sunken in, and can be alone or in clusters. This fungus is the most common to thrive in hot, humid climates.
Brown patch is very similar, but normally appears in irregular patches that may or may not be circular. Brown Patch often forms as a circle of rough, dry brown grass with a narrow darker ring around it.
Red thread fungus gets its name because of the thread-like appearance it has between blades. It is pink in color, and differs from both dollar spot and brown patch in that it is a cool-season disease that often thrives in undernourished lawns. Red thread spreads by pustules “exploding” and spitting fungal material up to 8 feet. Because of this, it can be sporadic in where it appears.
How to Prevent
There are some great ways to make sure your lawn doesn’t ever have to come in contact with lawn fungus. Watering your grass earlier in the day will allow the water to be absorbed and not become stagnant. Overwatering allows fungus to move through the grass and spread. Making sure your grass is mowed at a proper height (no more than ⅓ of the grass blade) with sharp blades to have a precise cut also helps prevent lawn fungus from spreading. A dull blade can shred the grass blades leaving many openings for disease to enter. Fertilizing at the right times and with the right amounts can help prevent lawn fungus. When lawns have the right nutrients they need to grow, they are less susceptible to disease.
How to Treat
Applying fungicide can be tedious and can take more than one application to remedy the issue. If you apply the same fungicide many times, your lawn can build up a resistance to the active ingredients. Due to this resistance, fungus may appear in your lawn even if you put down a preventative treatment. Some natural remedies for lawn fungus are neem oil, baking soda, compost tea, and clove oil. While these options to treat may help, it is always important to make sure you have a proper lawn treatment that helps prevent lawn fungus to be proactive.
East Coast Sprayers is Here to Help
East Coast Sprayers can help homeowners and HOAs (Home Owner Associations) combat lawn fungus and keep their lawns healthy. We specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and maintenance of lawn fungus, as well as custom lawn care solutions that can be tailored to the specific needs of your lawn.
We use advanced lawn care equipment and techniques to ensure that we are able to effectively treat and prevent lawn fungus, while also minimizing the impact on the environment. In addition, our team of experts are knowledgeable and experienced in providing professional advice and service.
Our service includes scheduled visits to evaluate the health of your lawn and apply the necessary treatments. We provide regular follow-ups to monitor the progress of the treatment and make any necessary adjustments. This ensures that your lawn receives the care it needs to stay healthy and lush throughout the year.
Overall, if you’re experiencing issues with lawn fungus and looking for a solution, East Coast Sprayers understands the proper treatment for each fungal type. Contact us to schedule a consultation and find out how they can help you maintain a beautiful, healthy lawn for your home or HOA community!
