It is no surprise that this summer as been more dry than usual. Did you know that these conditions make your lawn more susceptible to lawn disease? These warm, dry, and drought-like weather conditions make the perfect environment for lawn diseases to occur. What diseases should you look out for? Well, Weed Pro has you covered with lawn diseases most likely to be seen in drought conditions.
Necrotic Ring Spot
What it is: Necrotic Ring Spot is a fungus that appears in your lawn as ring shaped areas of dead, or dying, grass.
Areas it targets: Necrotic Ring Spot really begins to thrive and appear when temperatures surpass 80 degrees and soil conditions are dry.
What you can do: You can treat this lawn disease through hiring a professional. However, you can also help prevent this lawn disease by using a fungicide and aerating your soil. For more information, check out this resource.
Dollar Spot
What it is: This disease causes small, yellow spots on individual grass blades and eventually causes the whole grass blade to turn white.
Areas it targets: This fungus usually infects bluegrass lawns in the Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio areas. It is most likely to show up anytime between late spring and late fall, growing after a stretch of cool, moist weather. Dollar spot flourishes in 60-85 degree Fahrenheit daytime temperatures.
What you can do: Like any lawn disease it is best to use preventive measures, but this disease can be controlled with fungicides. For more information on this lawn disease, refer to this article.
Pythium Blight
What it is: In the beginning, symptoms will show as dark green to purple leaves that appear to have been soaked for a period of time and are arranged in irregular shaped patches. Also called “cottony blight,” white and fluffy cotton-candy like structures, called aerial mycelium, form on the turf grass which is most abundant after morning dew.
Areas it targets: This disease also primarily affects the Ohio region during the months of July and August. According to the The American Phytopathological Society, this disease shows its symptoms after the turf grass is wet for a period of about 12 hours and during humid, hot weather. This disease is particularly effective when temperatures rise more than 82 degrees (Fahrenheit) during the day and below 68 degrees at night.
What you can do: For tips and tricks to prevent and treat this lawn disease, please check out this article.
How You Can Keep Your Lawn Green AND CUT YOUR WATERING BY 50%!!
Your lawn doesn't have to struggle during this hot and dry summer. Best yet, you don't have to water forever to keep it green! Our Summer Drought Watering Guide can help you save water by watering your lawn more effectively. Download it by clicking below: