Turf Grass Diseases & Bad Tilling

Bad Tilling

• Bad tilling doesn't adequately break up the soil or kill perennial weeds. Soil that is left compacted has inadequate air flow, which creates a favorable environment for fungal diseases. Also, seeding on top of perennial weeds that have not been killed may contribute to lawn diseases. Perennial weeds harbor fungal diseases that overwintered in the vegetation. Without properly removing perennial weeds by spraying them with herbicide and tilling their dead debris into the soil, you may raise the risk of your new grass contracting a disease.

Proper Tilling

• Break up the first 6 inches of top soil when tilling to prepare the soil for grass seeds. Incorporate soil amendments for lawns that have clay soil. Use 2 to 3 cubic yards of peat moss per 1,000 square feet to promote proper air and water movement, as suggested by the University of Minnesota. When air flow and water drainage is increased, turf grass has less of a chance of contracting a fungal disease.

Soil Amendments

• Before seeds are distributed, gardeners must work starter fertilizer into the soil with a tiller. Starter fertilizer is high in phosphorous, which helps seeds develop root systems, grow and increases their disease tolerance. Use a starter fertilizer that has a NPK amount such as 16-20-0 at a rate of six pounds per 1,000 square feet, as suggested by the University of California. Work the starter fertilizer into the first 2 to 4 inches of top soil.

Seeding

• After tilling, adding soil amendments and working starter fertilizer into the soil, prepare your lawn for seeding. Use the back of a rake to smooth the surface. While smoothing out the top of the soil, make sure that there are not clumps of dirt or weeds poking through the surface. Use your tiller to break up any clumps of grass. Distribute grass seed at the correct amount indicated on the label. By using excessive amounts of grass seed, you slow down your establishment time, according to the University of Minnesota. Furthermore, excessive seedling leads to reduced air flow which results in turf grass diseases.