Identifying and Treating Lawn Diseases

At the height of summer, the last thing any of us want to see is a brown, dying lawn. Caused by fungus, lawn diseases are a reality that can wreak havoc with your landscaping. How can you tell if you have a problem, and what can you do to prevent or treat one? Let’s start with the possible problems.

The Diseases
Rust occurs in laws that with lots of shade, humidity and low nitrogen levels. It’s easy to identify from the orange color and the fact that a tissue run over the affected area will also turn orange.

Humid, wet weather and warm temperatures at night are the conditions that can lead to Brown Patch disease. You'll see circular, sunken patches of grass that turns purple-green then brown. The outer edges will appear dark green.

When temperatures are between 70 and 90 degrees, lawns infected with Dollar Spot will begin to develop dead spots, up to six inches in diameter.

Dry weather followed by wet weather can help bring on Necrotic Ring Spot. Also known as Frogeye disease, it usually appears in fall and spring, but can affect lawns in summer as well. If it is affecting your lawn, you'll notice light yellow patches or rings which eventually turn brown or yellow.

Hot, dry and humid conditions are perfect for the fungus that causes Summer Patch. Crescent shaped patches result from rotting roots. Affected areas lose their color, turning reddish-brown and then tan.

Treating Lawn Disease
The bad news is that these diseases can cause permanent damage to your lawn if they aren’t dealt with promptly. The good news is that these diseases can be treated. Simply using a fungicide, and then following the guidance below will usually take care of the problem. The sooner you recognize the problem and start treating it the better. For more information, please see this article on WikiHow.

How to Avoid Lawn Diseases
There are a number of steps you can take to prevent lawn diseases. First and foremost, proper fertilization and watering are the foundations of a healthy lawn. Watering should be done in the morning so the lawn dries before evening. Mowing should be done at a high height and with a sharp blade.

Conclusions
A lawn represents a large part of any home’s curb appeal. Damage from disease can hurt the first impression potential buyers have of your home, and so preventing and treating lawn diseases are a priority if your house is on the market. So, don’t wait to take care of problems. And if you need help getting your house sold, please contact me and I’ll help you get the best deal possible.

Gabby Tyer - CRS, GRI
Real Estate Sales and Property Management
Managing Principal Broker/Owner
Realty Solutions
www.allaboutportland.com
www.jessicashope.com
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