All About
Lawn Disease
What is it?
Lawn Disease is a general term used to describe a host of different pathogens in your turf. Most often, it refers to different Fungi that can devastate lawns (especially fescue in this area) in very rapid progression, most often during the summer. Brown Patch and Dollar Spot disease are the most common diseases we see in Hampton Roads, capable of destroying 25-50% of a beautiful lawn in just 7-10 days or less.
What causes it?
The most destructive of diseases we generally see occur in the summer. Quite simply, these fungal pathogens flourish in hot, humid, wet, sunny conditions. This is why lawn care professionals tell you to never water in the afternoon or evening before dark. Doing so wets the lawn when the fungi are most likely to propagate. But Mother Nature often does so for us, with afternoon rain showers that soak the surface of the lawn before breaking way to sunny, hot and suddenly way more humid conditions than before the rain. And lawn disease flourishes because of it.
How do we stop it?
Do i need preventative disease control?
Preventative disease control isn't necessary for everyone. Its costly, requiring 5 or 6 additional treatments per summer, each at about 1.5 times the rate of your regular treatment cost. Lawns that are more shaded are less prone to fungus. For a lot of customers, the cost associated isn't a value to replace lawn damage for a few months in the summer. But for those clients who have brown spots year after year, or who want to do everything possible to keep the lawn healthy and green and beautiful, then the preventative program can make the difference for a great lawn all summer long. Give us a call to discuss options or get started on a preventative program anytime.