How To Deal With Grass Fungal Diseases In Your Lawn

Fungal diseases are notorious for damaging lawns if they aren’t dealt with immediately. Even if you’ve already controlled both pests and weeds, you still need to watch out for the spread of diseases. Here, we’ll discuss how to deal with grass fungal diseases in your lawn.

Identifying The Common Causes​

First of all, it’s best to understand that a lawn is typically filled with fungi and spores alike. Certain factors can turn these grass fungi into diseases, which include soil compaction, intense heat, mowing at a very low height, and using too much fertilizer and water.

Via Kris Lord

Steps To Controlling The Spread

A soil test will uncover which nutrients the soil lacks because lawns with sufficient nutrients won’t succumb to stress and disease.

You can conduct the soil test on your own by buying a kit. However, sending a soil sample to a laboratory will lead to more comprehensive results. Another way to improve the health of your lawn to prevent the onset of fungal diseases is to use organic top-dressing. A thick layer will improve the draining capability of the soil as well.

​Aerating And Dethatching

​The issue of soil compact is addressed through aeration. Some gardeners use spiked shoes to create small holes in the soil while others go for plug aerators to pull out plugs of soil. Try to aerate your soil once every year. Similarly, any thick layers of thatch must be removed with a dethatcher. The removal of dead grass ensures enough water and nutrients with ease.

Here is a video of aerating a lawn:​

Utilizing Organic Products

Don’t go for synthetic lawn care products since they could have chemicals that will disrupt the overall health of your lawn. To be more specific, synthetic fertilizers may drain the vital nutrients from the soil, and make the grass more dependent on them. Instead, use organic products with ingredients that work in harmony with your lawn’s ecosystem.

For example, you can control fungal diseases with an application of compost tea and neem oil. In fact, even a small solution of baking soda can deal with small patches affected by fungal diseases. If large areas are severely affected, get an organic fungicide. This won’t help in the recovery of the lawn grass, but it will effectively deal with the fungal spores.

On Watering and Fertilizer Application​

As we’ve previously mentioned, you cannot apply too little or too much fertilizer since both lead to the spread of fungal disease. The simplest way to prevent this is to read the instructions on the fertilizer package. Consequently, go for slow-release organic fertilizers.

Watering the lawn should be done in the morning. This gives the grass blades sufficient time to get dry as noon arrives. Get a rain sensor to ensure that the lawn gets an inch of water every week. Irrigate the grass deeply so that the roots grow deeply and fully. A strong root system will keep the grass alive even when the upper portions are exposed to fungal diseases.

Mowing And Trimming​

Lawns with scalped grasses are more prone to fungal diseases. Thus, you should always maintain sharp mower blades. Straight and clean cuts are better than dull ones. Also, don’t forget to wash and rinse the lower portions of your mower after using it on the areas affected by the fungal diseases.

Similarly, pick the correct mowing height. You must never cut more than a third of the grass blades at once. Not all mowers are built the same as some release toxic fumes during operations. Such mower won’t need constant resharpening while being safe for the environment.

Lastly, trim the trees and shrubs to improve the circulation of air for your lawn grass. Fungal diseases can thrive if your lawn is constantly moist. Use a handheld pruner for branches that you can reach. Otherwise, get a pole pruner for the highest portions of the tree.

In conclusion, controlling the spread of fungal diseases is about improving a healthy lawn. If you know how to properly fertilize, irrigate, and mow your lawn, it can resist fungal diseases. Similarly, trimming trees, aerating, and dethatching all contribute to a better lawn.

We hope that our guide helped you out in managing grass fungal diseases on your lawn. For any queries, do send us a comment.​