Lawn Diseases

Like weeds, lawn diseases are usually a symptom of something else being out of balance. Most turfgrass diseases can usually be found in all soils, but they do not always cause a problem. In a healthy turfgrass, the plant usually has all it needs to keep these diseases from gaining a foothold inside the plant. However, when the turfgrass is stressed for any number of reasons, this lets the turfgrass' guard down, leaving an opening for the disease to begin reproducing inside the turfgrass. That's when you start to see problems in your lawn.

Some lawn diseases will generally run their course, cause some minor damage and then go away. In these situations it is probably best to let it be rather than try to apply a treatment. However, some diseases can be very disastrous to your lawn and immediate action should be taken without delay to prevent further damage.

The important thing is not to wait. If you suspect your lawn has some type of lawn disease, give us a call immediately. Our trained technical staff know the difference between the bad diseases and the really bad diseases. We will advise you of the proper treatment, what that treatment will cost, and if it is safe to let Mother Nature run her course.

To cut down on the chances of having a really bad lawn disease infestation, it is important to take a few preventative measures that won't cost you a dime.

• Water your lawn in the morning so water doesn't stand on the grass blades through the cooler night time temperatures
• When mowing, remove no more than 1/3 of the grass blade at any one mowing. Cutting off more than 1/3 puts the lawn under extreme stress that makes it possible for lawn diseases to invade
• Don't let thatch buildup on your lawn. Excess thatch prevents water, nutrients and air from circulating through your soil in an efficient manner. This too puts stress on your turfgrass plants.
• Make sure your turfgrass gets the right micronutrients throughout the growing season. This helps keep the plants in a happy state of balance.
• If you use a mowing service, request your service to clean their equipment before mowing your lawn. Some lawn diseases can be transferred through grass clippings carried by mowers coming from an infected lawn.