Grass Fungus Problem

Encouraging Dense Grass

• Grass needs nutrients to spread and grow healthy root systems. Fertilizers that contain nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium give grass the nutrients that it needs for dense growth, green color and strength for fighting diseases. Because of fertilizer's benefits, fertilizing in the fall has become a popular practice. When fertilizer is spread in the fall after grass has stopped growing, the grass uses the fertilizer to produce carbohydrates which helps it resist diseases. Gardeners should apply fertilizer after the grass has stopped growing, but before the ground freezes for dense turf in the winter and spring, when fungal diseases can be a problem.

Eliminating Improper Cultural Practices

• Fertilizer alone will not prevent fungal diseases. Regardless of the amount of nutrients that are applied, improper watering can negate the benefits. Fungal spores need moist environments to germinate and spread. In fact, gardeners who water in the late afternoon can promote fungal diseases because fungal spores that cause rhizoctonia blight thrive when nighttime air temperatures are around 70 degrees Fahrenheit and the ground is moist, according to North Dakota State University. Water in the early morning to prevent saturating the soil and causing fungal spores to germinate.

Recognizing Diseases

• Lawn diseases share many of the symptoms of other grass problems. For example, brown patches caused by spilled gasoline can look like brown patch disease. By keeping a log of the problems you see, air temperatures, gardening practices and symptoms, you can determine if your lawn has contracted a disease or other problem. Examine grass blades when you see if they are discolored. Oftentimes, fungal diseases like leaf spot will produce leaf discoloration that can only be causes by a disease. Also, irregular looking patches of discoloration is generally a sign of fungal diseases.

Treatment

• Check your thatch layer prior to treating the lawn. Thick thatch layers over 1/2 inch thick can contribute to fungal diseases and prevent fungicides from absorbing into to the grass. Cut out a 2-inch wedge of turf with a masonry trowel. Measure the brown, spongy material between the grass blades and soil. Dethatch the lawn if it has a thick thatch layer. Oftentimes, removing the thick thatch layer of lawn can increase air circulation and fix the fungal problem without fungicides. If fungicides need to be applied, make sure that the fungicide's label indicates that it treats the specific lawn disease.