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As environmental conditions change
during the spring and summer, lawns become more at risk to diseases.
Rising temperatures and humidity in conjunction with prolonged
moisture on the lawn produce optimal conditions for disease to
thrive. Red Thread infects yards in the spring and into the
early summer. Brown Patch is the most common disease during the summer. These two diseases
can cause their worst symptoms during
the summer, when cool season grasses (fescues, bluegrasses) are
already weakened by the high temperatures.
Green Up uses an organic Summer
Fertilizer which provides optimal levels of nitrogen,
phosphorous, and potassium to the lawn during these taxing
months. Our organic fertilizer has been shown to reduce the
severity of both Red Thread and Brown Patch when compared with a
nitrogen-only fertilizer. Furthermore, the addition of
organic material has been shown to reduce diseases in turf grass
and landscape plants. Deficiencies in nitrogen, phosphorous, and
potassium reduce plant vigor and make them more susceptible to
infection.
The products applied by Green Up
will help your lawn survive the taxing summer months. As temperatures cool and humidity lessens,
both Red Thread and Brown Patch will become less severe and
eventually wane.
Red Thread
Diagnosis: Red Thread
occurs mainly in the spring and early summer and affects all
turf grasses. Perennial ryegrass, fescues, and bluegrasses are
particularly vulnerable. It is characterized by irregularly
shaped patches of blighted grass, ranging in size from a few
inches to over three feet in diameter. Red Thread patches appear
to be brown or tan, however close inspection reveals reddish or
pink threads growing from the leaf tips.
Conditions Favoring
Development: Day and nighttime air temperatures ranging from
68 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit coupled with prolonged periods of
rainfall.
Control: Sunlight and
air circulation are the biggest factors for combating Red
Thread. If possible, trim landscaping to allow more light onto
the lawn. Do not discontinue watering completely! This will
cause the whole lawn to experience drought stress.
Examples of Red Thread (Click pictures for larger images)
Brown Patch
Diagnosis: Brown Patch
is actually a fungus. It occurs during the summer and affects all turf grasses. Tall fescues
and perennial ryegrasses are are highly
susceptible to infection. Brown patch primarily affects the leaves of the
plant and rarely damages the roots. It is characterized by
blighted patches ranging in diameter from a few inches to
several feet. The grass has dull brown lesions, which may
develop dark, reddish borders as the infection becomes more
severe. Commonly, the grass looks "dried out" or wilted. Damage
is most severe on lawns maintained at low mowing heights.
Conditions Favoring
Development: High temperatures combined with water remaining
on the surface for long periods over successive day. When night
time temperatures remain above 68 degrees Fahrenheit and the leaves remain wet for 8 or more hours per day
(including dew on the lawn overnight), infection rates are high. The
disease is most active when day-time temperatures are above 80
degrees Fahrenheit. Rainy conditions and high humidity
accelerate disease development and activity.
Control: Avoid irrigation
in the late afternoon and evening. Early morning watering has
been shown to reduce the effects of brown patch. Timing
of irrigation has more impact than the frequency
of irrigation. Continue to mow the yard on a regular basis and
cut the grass higher than normal. As the disease affects the leaves and not the
root structure, turf stands should completely recover when
conditions become cooler and less humid.
Examples of Brown Patch (Click pictures for larger images)
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