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Home
Lawn Level Top Dress
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Outdoor Kitchens Patios
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Lawn Services
Landscape Pricing
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Rock Retaining Walls
Lawn Maintenance
Landscape Design
Photo Gallery
Lawn Planner
Custom Cedar Fences
Contact Us
Christmas Lights
WaterFalls & Rivers
Pondless Water Features
Austin Online Nursery
Lawn Aeration
About Smart Homes

 

This spring, the cool, wet weather that affected most of the U.S. caused a greater than normal increase in lawns afflicted with gray snow mold a lawn disease that thrives when those type of conditions are present. Also found on Crape myrtles as a white powdery type film.

Aeration in almost all cases helps with the prevention of lawn diseases. It helps by letting the ground breath and drain standing water. Along with a fungus treatment......

The majority of lawn diseases, however, occur in the summer months. Some are basically harmless, while others can wreck an entire lawn or golf course. Among groundskeepers, they are simply known as turfgrass diseases.

A turfgrass disease is any infectious disease caused by microscopic fungi that invade the grass. Fungi need a "host" in order to survive - whether it is dead or alive - and in the case of infectious turfgrass disease, the host plant in this case is the grass. The fungi also need favorable conditions, such as moisture level and temperature, in which to thrive.

Let's take a look at some of the more common lawn diseases that occur in the summer months, when and why they are likely to occur, as well as how to recognize them. And finally, we'll give you some tips on what you should do to your lawn to prepare it against turfgrass disease invasion.

See How Dillo Dirt Is Installed.

Dillo dirt repairs most all insect and disease problems (mild to moderate damage)

 

Leaf Spot Leaf spot, or helminthosporium turf diseases, can become a problem in the summer because the brown, dry grass it leaves behind is often confused with drought conditions. It is a warm weather disease that mainly occurs in susceptible varieties of Kentucky Bluegrass and Bermudagrass. It thrives in warm, humid weather. Look for leaf lesions, that are purplish-brown spots on the surface of the blade. Eventually, the lesions will run together and the blade will turn entirely brown and die - it may appear that the plant is rotting away. Watering the area will only compound the problem.

Brown Patch Brown patch will affect all grass types in temperate climates. The disease is favored by excess thatch, high temperatures (75° F - 95° F) high humidity (99 - 100%), excess moisture, and lush growth caused by excess nitrogen. Closely mowed turf and particularly the bentgrasses of golf courses are especially susceptible and easily damaged by brown patch. In addition, it can be extremely destructive to St. Augustinegrass from fall to early spring. If brown patch is present in the lawn, it will first appear as brown patches in circular patterns a few inches across. As the disease spreads, the affected areas will grow to several feet in diameter. The center of the spots may recover, leaving a ring of infected grass.

Fairy Ring Fairy ring gets its name from many centuries ago, when it was believed that they appeared as the work of fairies or gremlins. Fairy ring occurs in all grass types as a result of organic matter, such as old tree stumps or wood, that is decaying in the soil below. In lawns where fairy ring resurfaces every year, major reconstruction must be done to eliminate the problem. Fairy ring often starts with the appearance of mushrooms, in a ring or circle. The fungi growing from this decaying material release nitrogen, which creates a dark green circle in the lawn.   Top of Page

Fusarium Blight Fusarium blight is mainly a problem in lawns throughout the Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions, affecting Kentucky bluegrass, red fescue and sometimes centipedegrass and bermudagrass. Lawns with compacted soil or heavy thatch that receive long hours of intense light are susceptible to fusarium blight. Hot, dry weather that follows extended periods of rain creates favorable conditions for this infectious turfgrass disease. Infected turf will appear pale green in patches, which fades to a wilted purplish green and eventually to a dull, straw color. It typically stays green in the center, surrounded by a ring of dead, brown-colored grass. The disease will spread when temperatures are near 90° F during the day and 70° F at night.

Rust A turfgrass disease that resembles its name. Rust affects all grass types and appears as orange flecks on the grass blades - basically, it looks like rust. Typically, it goes away without much harm. However, prolonged periods of rust can result in eventual loss of turf. During hot, dry weather rust will cause the blades to fold inward as if suffering from drought. Eventually, the infected blade shrivels and dies.

Red Thread Can occur at any time of year, but is most prevalent in late Summer and Fall and is only likely to appear on water-logged lawns, and particularly those that are deficient in nitrogen. Bright pink fungal threads grow among the grass creating a pinkish hue. Later, the grass blades redden and then look bleached. It rarely forms patches larger than 12 inches across. Take the Lawn challenge

There is still time to save your yard.....

Pest Identification & Control Powdery mildew causes a gray dusting on leaves, also on flower buds before they open. Severe infestations will cause puckering of the new growth and may cause buds to fail to open. Keep the foliage dry and apply an appropriate fungicide if necessary. Aphids are tiny pear-shaped insects that infest the plants in mid- or late summer. First evidence will be tiny specks of sticky honeydew. Affected plants can soon look like they have been varnished. Black sooty mold will grow in the honeydew residue. Control the aphids, their honeydew, and the resulting sooty mold by applying an approved insecticide. Pictures of  Black spot and Powdery mildew                 We can treat for these symptoms or you can do it yourself All products can be found at your local hardware store Bush and Shrub treatment Rose Treatment   Top of Page White Grub Problems in Lawns     White grubs are the most serious and destructive lawn insect pest in Texas.. While not all lawns will get grubs and the extent of grub damage varies from year to year, there are some important points to consider concerning managing grubs in lawns. Grubs are white in color, with a characteristic "C" shape body when found in the soil feeding on lawn roots. Grubs are the larval stage of beetles. The most common grub species in our area is the annual white grub, of which the adult is a tan June Bug beetle. Eggs are laid in the soil in mid-summer, primarily on well-watered lawns in full sun, often near pavement. Damage from annual white grubs typically starts in mid August and may continue until early October. Other species may damage lawns in Texas.but usually are not as common as annual white grub. Monitoring and control of these species is the same as for annual white grub. The true white grub (May or June beetle), for example, typically has a three-year life cycle, meaning it could potentially damage lawns throughout the season. Japanese beetle grubs can also occur in Texas.with timing very similar to annual white grub. Adult Japanese beetles are serious defoliators of many ornamental plants. Since grubs feed on the roots of lawn grasses, damage will appear as browning of the lawn. Consider that this also could be due to problems such as drought, poor soil, or diseases. However, grubs are easy to find by lifting sod in damaged areas and checking the root zone for the whitish grubs. Don't treat for grubs that don't exist! Skunks and raccoons may tear up lawns in search of grubs, even when grub numbers are relatively low. Typically a population of about 8 to 12 grubs per square foot causes lawn damage that requires control; whereas lower populations may not damage the grass, they may attract skunks and raccoons.   Top of Page Lawns showing damage from grubs may be treated with an insecticide. Insecticides available for homeowners include diazinon (25% EC [liquid] or 5% granular); trichlorfon (Dylox) (6.2% granular); bendiocarb (Intercept), halofenozide (GrubBGon, GrubEx), or imidacloprid (Merit, formerly GrubEx) for control of white grubs. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora nematode is an example of an alternative product for white grub control that is available. For all products, read and follow all label directions, then apply to damaged areas. Water the insecticide into the soil immediately. If treating a large area, stop after a portion has been treated and water the material in, then complete the rest of the lawn area needing treatment. Only treat in and around affected areas; grubs may only be in a small part of the lawn. Imidacloprid and halofenozide are suggested to be applied before grub damage appears. An example of a way to use these products would be to apply in July to irrigated lawns that are surrounded by dry lawns, especially when adult beetle flight is high in areas with a history of grub damage. Spring treatment for annual white grub is not suggested since the grubs feed for a short period of time in spring and are reaching maturity, thus are not controlled easily. In addition, turf grasses are actively growing at that time so usually don’t show damage. Other insects may attack lawns in Texas. but severity of damage changes from season to season and also by location. Examples include sod webworm, billbug, chinch bug, and aphids. These insects differ from grubs in that they are feeding at or above the surface of the soil and usually are not as destructive.    since Feb. 5, 2004 The Christian Counter   Email or Call (512)627-0778 today to set up an appointment, Just ask for Scott Martin Smart Home Services | Hutto, Texas Phone (512)627-0778 | E-Mail

   Last update: 09/29/08