Common Lawn Fungi and How to Identify Them
Maintaining a luscious green lawn is no easy feat. Even if you meticulously mow, water, and fertilize your grass, it can still be infiltrated by fungi that cause frustrating discoloration or mold and wreak havoc on your hard work. Early lawn treatment is the best way to fight off a fungus before it spreads. Here's how to identify the most common fungi.
4 Common Lawn Fungi
1. Brown Patch
Brown patch fungus is named after its most identifiable feature—the brown patches it leaves on your lawn. They frequently appear in circular shapes and quickly spread across the grass. Along with fungicidal treatment, keep your lawn mowed and aerated, avoid overwatering, and remove thatch to help dry out the lawn and discourage fungal growth.
2. Summer Patch
Summer patches look very similar to brown patch fungus. The round patches appear in late summer and feature a brown center inside a yellow ring. Unfortunately, this fungus is resistant to treatment. The best way to avoid its wrath is to prevent an infestation by keeping your grass short and reasonably dry as consistently as possible.
3. Slime Mold
Slime mold coats individual blades of grass in a yellow or gray mold that looks and feels slimy when wet. When dry, slime mold appears ashy or powdery. This type of fungus doesn't actually kill or damage the grass. You can safely let it run its course or, if you're bothered by its appearance, simply spray it off with a garden hose.
4. Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is another fungus that doesn't harm grass but looks very unattractive on your lawn. It causes white or gray powdery patches that can't be removed as easily as slime mold. Removal will require lawn treatment with a fungicide such as metconazole or tebuconazole.
If you're struggling with lawn disease, you can count on Nature Plus Lawn & Irrigation in Cincinnati, OH. This custom lawn care company offers lawn treatment, weeding, aeration, and pest control services to keep your lawn green. Visit their website or call (513) 755-9434 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
