Identifying Lawn Diseases Part 2

Last week, we posted a blog about common lawn diseases and how important it is to treat them as soon as they are identified. Because of the lengthy and comprehensive nature of this list, we’ve split it up into two parts, so make sure to read Part 1 if you haven’t already. Without further ado, here is L-Z of common lawn diseases, their symptoms, and how to treat them:

• Leaf Spot: Affects all types of grass. Symptoms include the grass appearing gray, tan or brown, with spots on the blades themselves. You will need a fungicide to treat this.

• Necrotic Ring Spot (Summer Patch): Affects blue, bent, bermuda and fescue grass. Symptoms include round, sunken, reddish-tan areas of grass. You will need a fungicide to treat this.

• Powdery Mildew: Affects blue, bermuda and zoysia. Symptoms of infection look like a white dust that covers the blades, which will eventually turn to brown. Remove and destroy all infected areas, and don’t fertilize until it’s completely gone; there are also fungicides to treat it.

• Pythium Blight: Affects all grass varieties. Symptoms include brown, slimy texture and patches. You will need a fungicide to treat this.

• Red Thread: Affects fescue, blue, rye and bent grasses. Symptoms include red or faded patches, red threads reach between leaf tips. You will need a fungicide to treat this.

• Rust: Affects blue, bermuda, St. Augustine and rye grasses. Symptoms include an orange rust-like appearance, and the spores will readily attach themselves to tools, skin and clothing. Follow proper lawn care and the infection will go away, but in severe cases you will need a fungicide.

• Slime Mold: Affects all grass varieties. Symptoms include patches of white, gray or black deposits on leaves, powdery appearance in early stages, formation of tiny balls in later stages. It can be removed with a rake, broom or by spraying it with a garden hose.

• Smut: Affects bluegrass and bentgrass. Symptoms include yellow blades that eventually turn to black and begin to curl up. You will need a fungicide to treat this.

If you are looking to buy new grass, browse The Grass Outlet’s online store or contact us for more information.