It ’s spring and your lawn article of furniture is all in place , just yell for a backyard barbecue . While you ’re reflect whether to serve crybaby or steak , your plan come to a screeching halt when your neighbor leans over the fence and require , “ What ’s up with your lawn ? ” as he points to the ugly patches of brown grass scattered across your vacation spot of green rug .
insalubrious spots of grass in a lawn can be cause by several factor , like compacted stain , spotty fertilizer program , insect infestation , lawn lawn mower injury , pet damage , and too much or too little water . But in spring , the major culprit to think are disease - causing fungi . Many lawn disease appear at this time of yr , when the grass actively set about to grow and when fungus - fan out wet and wind increase . Two wide - spreadhead fungal diseases are Bipolaris folio spot andRhizoctoniabrown patch .
Bipolaris foliage spot is the most common spring disease that strike northern cool - time of year grasses . other symptom are small , dreary - purpleness to brown spot with buffer - colourize centers surrounded by a dark-skinned - purple gross profit on the gage brand . As the disease progresses , infect blades rick lily-livered , and finally the crown of the plant dies . The affected domain takes on a dull , weathered expression .
Since this illness is easier to prevent than to cure , I urge ripping out the problem areas and reseed with improved disease - resistant cultivar . Practicing wakeless sustentation technique also guard off fungal disease . set about by invalidate over - fertilization , reducing the thatch layer to 1/3 to 1/2 in wooden-headed , and watering only enough to keep the roots moist . Prevent prolonged periods of moisture on the leaf blades by water in the early aurora hours , so the Mary Jane has plenty of metre to dry out during the day .
For lawn with a chronicle of Bipolaris foliage spot , reckon apply a liquid fungicide ( with one of the active element propiconazole , mancozeb , or thiophanate - methyl ) according to recording label directions . utilize the first discussion a hebdomad or two after spring special K - up and continue with two to three program program , spaced two to three weeks aside .
Rhizoctonia brown patch is a perennial spring fungus that affects mainly southerly tender - time of year Grass . Infected lawn show brownish - yellow patches or rings of idle and die smoke .. The patches may reach 2 to 3 feet in diam with grass blades that can be matted down but are typically standing directly up . Green grass leaf blade within the diseased patches are commonly grade with irregularly forge , damaged area surrounded by a darkbrown border .
As with Bipolaris foliage spot , the accent for controlling Rhizoctonia brown patch should be range on preventive practices rather than on chemical strategy . Again , avoid over - fertilizing , which can induce too much lush growth , and when lacrimation , do not allow for the grass blades to be sloshed for more than six hour . On extremely susceptible turfs , like St. Augustinegrass , start fluent fungicide treatments ( with a product turn back triadimefon , propiconazole , thiram , thiophanate - methyl , or mancozeb as an alive fixings ) at the first sign of the symptom . As with any fungicide product , be sure to read and keep an eye on all recording label directions and warnings .
If you are unsure if your lawn has a disease , take a grass sample distribution to your local extension agentive role or garden midpoint for service in aright diagnosing the job . Lawn disease prevention and ascendency will aid you to enjoy a healthy lawn all season long . You ’ll be back in business organisation , throwing those backyard barbecue before you know it .
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Bipolaris leaf spot is common among cool-season grasses. As the crown of the plant dies back, the problem area appears dull and weathered.Photo/Illustration: John Fech
Rhizoctoniabrown patch is a springtime lawn disease that affects mostly warm-season grasses. From a distance, an infected lawn will have a series of 2- to 3-foot circular, brownish-yellow patches.
