Even the best lawns are likely to have brown spots once in a while. These brown spots are also known as summer patch lawn disease and usually affect lawns after the hot summer season. If you own a lawn, you might have patches of dead grass in summer on your lawn sometimes.
Summer patch disease is a grass root disease caused by the fungus Magnaporthe poae. It destroys the root system of your grass, killing them rapidly. As the name implies, the signature look of summer patch disease is characterized by misshapen patches of browned-out grass on your turf. The disease is typically disguised in its early stages, with symptoms appearing primarily during the summer months.
“As the infected roots battle to keep the grass blades alive in the face of drought and heat stress, obvious indicators of the illness emerge. Eventually, the grass succumbs and dies, leaving a brown patch on the lawn visible to the naked eye.”
This potent fungus targets your grass plants’ ability to absorb nutrients and water through the roots. Without proper nutrients and water intake, it’s only a matter of time before your lawn collapses. The only exception is if there’s an urgent intervention from lawn maintenance in Allen, TX.
How to Identify Summer Patch Lawn Disease
Typically, summer patch lawn disease has a unique look but there are specific features that you must look out for to be certain. The following are some early warning signs and later-stage symptoms:
- Dark-green, withered, and irregular circles of grass, measuring up to 2 inches in diameter
- Straw-colored patches, rings, and crescents progressively expand throughout the summer season
- Enlarged patches, each displaying a yellow or bronze outer edge
- Grass blades exhibiting a dying-back effect, starting from the tips
By recognizing these visual cues, you can promptly identify and address the presence of summer patch disease in your lawn.
Grass Species Affected Most By Summer Patch Disease
Certain species of grass are more prone to suffer attacks by Summer Patch disease. In our experience, the grass types below make the list:
- Fine Fescues
- Annual Bluegrass
- Kentucky Bluegrass
This is not to say that other species cannot be attacked by summer patch lawn disease. From all indications, the above species have no resistance to it.
“Zoysia, Tall Fescue, and Perennial Ryegrass are resistant to Summer Patch Lawn Disease.”
How to Control Summer Patch Lawn
Anyone’s lawn can fall victim to Summer Patch Lawn disease. Therefore, it’s necessary to take preventative action if possible. In a case where the harm has been done but noticed early, swinging into action quickly can easily resolve the issue.
Considering the devastating nature of this fungal disease on grasses, you will need the assistance of lawn maintenance in Allen which specializes in disease treatment of lawns. Chemical treatment applied by professionals is often effective in dealing with Summer Patch disease.
If carrying out the procedure on your own, consider following the instructions on the product pack in detail. To prevent the recurrence of the summer patch, especially if you have experienced problems with it in the past, it is advisable to apply the fungicide when the conditions are favorable for the disease but before its appearance, typically during spring.
It’s crucial to carefully adhere to the directions listed on the product label. To avoid errors, engage lawn care in Allen, TX to assist you with its application.
Conditions that Predispose Your Lawn to Summer Patch Disease
The following conditions have been known to make your grass an easy target for summer patch lawn disease. Each condition can lead to facilitate the development of summer lawn disease on your turf:
- Thatch buildup
- Heat stress
- Long-lasting drought
- Bad drainage
- Compaction of the soil
- Soil p.H of 6.5 or more
- Poor mowing habits
- Weak root growth
- Poor watering habits
As you can see, just about anything related to poor lawn care in Allen, TX can make your grass prone to attacks from Summer Patch Lawn disease. Therefore, it shows that hiring professional lawn care is necessary.
Preventing Summer Patch Disease on Your Lawn
Healthy lawn management practices will generally keep your lawn safe from summer patch lawn disease. To reduce the chances of experiencing this disease on your lawn yard, we have compiled the following actions as a sort of checklist to guide lawn owners:
- Remove leaves and debris, which can hold dormant fungus and impede sunlight.
- Mow your lawn on a regular basis and at the proper height to avoid scalping and turf stress.
- Leave grass clippings on the lawn because they help the soil retain moisture and nutrients.
- Irrigate properly by watering deeply and infrequently to foster deep root growth.
- Consider installing a sprinkler system to ensure even and effective watering.
- Choose disease-resistant grass seed that is appropriate for your lawn’s circumstances and seek professional advice.
- Conduct a soil test to identify nutrient shortages and then improve soil health as needed.
- Implement a fertilizer strategy based on the needs of your soil and the nutritional requirements of your grass.
- Aerate compacted soil allows more water, nutrients, and oxygen to reach the roots.
- Remove any thatch that is thicker than 12 inches, as it can house dormant fungus.
Repairing Damaged Lawn by Summer Patch Disease
For such repairs, we highly recommend hiring lawn services in Allen that offer disease treatment and control for lawns. Focus on lawn care in Allen with good quality reviews and you’d be good to go.
At GOMOW Lawn Care Service, our focus is on caring for your lawn with the best mowing experience ever. To prove how willing we are to assist you, we offer a FREE quote estimate when you contact us.
Why not start today to begin your journey on lawn care made easy?
Go here www.gomow.com/service-areas/allen.
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