Your lawn has more enemies than you might realize. No, we’re not talking about that envious neighbor—we’re talking about potential foes like lawn pests, drought and heat, and even various lawn diseases. In terms of the latter, Summer Patch lawn disease is a big one.
Unfortunately, Summer Patch lawn disease in North Texas is fairly common and can wreak havoc on your healthy lawn if given the chance.
Extreme heat, limited rainfall, and rising humidity (three common occurrences here) are the perfect recipe for yard fungus, like Summer Patch lawn disease, to start growing. But there are some steps that you can take to mitigate the problem.
Dealing with any lawn disease starts with proper identification. After all, you have to know what you’re dealing with before you can start to implement an effective solution. It’s not uncommon for many lawn fungus problems to mimic one another.
Summer Patch lawn disease (aka magnaporthe poae) is characterized by irregular brown patches. It is a destructive disease that kills grass by infecting and destroying its roots.
It often forms on lawns that are very sunny or hot (usually 90+ degrees in temperature), hence its name. The rings or Summer Patch lawn disease often come together to form the irregular spots or even long streaks.
Though it may start small, Summer Patch often moves fast and can destroy your entire lawn, rotting the grass down to the soil.
Because of the fact that it not only kills the grass blades but also the roots, it is a lot more destructive than other common lawn diseases like Dollar Spot disease.
One of the specific concerns with Summer Patch lawn disease is that it can be growing “right under your nose” without you noticing. That’s because if your grass is on the long-ish side, the grass might be hiding the dying roots. If you pull up some of the grass and notice its roots are dark brown or black, they could be rotting.
It’s important to note that oftentimes lawn diseases can mimic the signs and symptoms of drought-stressed grass at first. If the lawn is beginning to turn yellow, a lot of homeowners immediately assume it needs more water.
Unfortunately, overwatering is one of the worst things that you could do for a diseased lawn. That’s because it can create conditions that actually make a fungal problem much worse by spreading it.
Before watering, start by sticking a finger in the soil and seeing if you notice moisture. If you do, and your grass is looking yellow or brown, chances are it’s probably a fungus causing the discoloration. Don’t water your lawn. Instead, call your lawn care provider and let them know what you’re seeing so that they can make appropriate recommendations.
Also, keep in mind that watering habits can contribute to fungal growth in the first place.
In general, when it comes to watering, it’s recommended that you water your lawn in the early morning as opposed to nighttime. This gives the sun time to dry your lawn out. When you water in the evening hours, the water sits on your lawn and creates a habitat that can breed fungal growth.
The big idea is to not over-water, just give your lawn the right amounts at the right times.
If you suspect that your lawn might have Summer Patch lawn disease or any other possible turf disease, you’ll want to notify your lawn care provider (even if it is in-between visits). With an aggressive fungus like Summer Patch lawn disease, things can get bad quickly.
The best course of treatment is a professional application of fungicide to get rid of Summer Patch lawn disease.
At Grassperson, this would be an add-on service to your existing lawn care program. It’s not included in our regular program as most lawns do not have a significant issue with the disease each year and it would be a wasted expense.
While there is no 100-percent foolproof way to prevent lawn diseases from striking, there are some good habits that you can adopt that should reduce your risk.
For one, it’s important to avoid cutting your lawn too short. Mowing too short puts a lot of unnecessary stress on the lawn and actually makes it more susceptible to disease in the process. We advise cutting no more than one-third of the grass blades at a time as anything more than that puts too much stress on the lawn.
This is why we recommend mowing weekly (as opposed to bi-weekly like a lot of homeowners want to do). Mowing once a week reduces the amount of stress on the grass.
It’s also important to practice good watering habits, as we’ve mentioned above. Lawn aeration can also help to keep your lawn in healthier shape. Aeration helps to break up compacted soil and allows more water and oxygen to reach the root zone.
When water is able to penetrate down to the root zone (where it’s needed), you avoid it sitting atop the soil created soggy conditions that could encourage fungal growth. You also encourage the lawn’s roots to grow deeper and healthier.
Overall, the better shape that your lawn is in (health-wise), the better able it will be to stand up to any threats it is faced with. While you might not be able to prevent lawn disease entirely, a healthy lawn will fare better in the face of disease than one that is already plagued with problems.
At the end of the day, Summer Patch lawn disease is just one of many potential problems that your lawn could face in North Texas. That’s why it’s so valuable to invest in professional lawn care and have a pro on your side, looking out for your lawn.
Lawn diseases can feel like a setback when it comes to achieving the amazing results that you’re after. But it does not have to completely derail your investment in a great-looking lawn. With early detection and treatment, you can get your lawn back on track.
This is where working with a professional is so valuable. There won’t be lots of downtime as there would if you had to find a company and get them out to your property to treat the problem.
When you’re a Grassperson client, you can count on us to keep a close eye on your lawn—and to make recommendations whenever they’re needed. We’re always looking out for you.
Ready to get serious about lawn care results at your Flower Mound, Highland Village, Lewisville, or Frisco, TX home? Get a free quote and get ready to enjoy the best lawn on the block with no hassles!
Image Source: Summer Patch
