How to avoid and treat lawn disease in Columbia, MO.
Any self-respecting lawn owner in the great state of Missouri knows the pride that comes with a magnificent, healthy, radiant green lawn on your property. In contrast, you are also aware of the negative feeling associated with a dead, disease-ridden lawn. Not only is a malnourished lawn an eye sore, but it can also be a real hassle to correct.
In regards to lawn care, it is obviously recommended that you are proactive and responsible in your approach – either by staying informed and timely, or by enlisting the services of an experienced lawn professional. The best ways to prevent lawn disease is to keep your lawn healthy, through proper mowing, watering, and fertilizing.
How toTreat Lawn Disease
If you do fall victim to poor maintenance, it is imperative to recognize the five most common lawn diseases and know how to treat them.
- Brown patches – True to the name, these discolored patches are round and can grow several feet wide. Caused by high temperature fungus, brown patches typically appear in the summer on cool-season grasses. If left untreated, brown patches can kill large areas of grass quickly. Grass owners can use fungicides to help stop the spread of brown patches.
- Fairy ring – Easily recognized as a circle, sometimes several feet in diameter, of mushrooms in your grass, fairy ring can result in the death of the grass inside the ring. Aeration and regular fertilization is the most effective way to prevent this lawn disease.
- Rust – Noticeable by the yellowish discoloration on grass blades, rust can cause the lawn to thin and die out. Warm-season grasses in soils that are moist and low in nitrogen are most susceptible to this disease which can be treated with irrigation and the application of a fertilizer which consists of a high nitrogen density.
- Dollar spot – This disease can kill both warm-season and cool-season grass. It is recognized by white or beige circles, up to six inches wide, appearing throughout the lawn due to lesions on the grass blades. Dollar spot can be spread by contact, but lawn irrigation and accurate fertilization can help prevent it.
- Leaf spot – As the weather becomes increasingly hot and dry, grass roots will rot in summer, leaving infected areas of the lawn to “melt-out” and die. Proper and frequent aerating, fertilizing, and deep watering will help prevent leaf spot.
While these are the most common diseases in Columbus, MO lawns, there are many more. If you suspect your lawn might be in danger, or you simply want to make sure that you’re doing everything in your power to prevent lawn disease, contact Grizzly Bear Lawn Care today! Your lawn will thank you.