We know it can be frustrating to find fungus on your grass. Though certain cultural practices like improper mowing, overwatering, or fertilization mistakes can make fungal growth more likely, the truth is, even well-cared for lawns can be subject to lawn fungus diseases. Our hot and humid weather conditions in Northern VA make fungal growth a common problem.
You might put a lot of effort or money into ensuring your lawn looks and performs well, so the last thing you want to see is a lawn fungus taking over.
Because of that, we know you have questions. You want to understand how to best address the problem.
We hear a lot of questions about lawn fungus and have rounded up some of the most common ones so that you can get answers to all of your questions, all in one place.
If you spot fungus on the grass, you might be tempted to wait it out and see what happens. Unfortunately, lawn fungus will typically not just go away on its own. Though there are some occasions it can start to resolve itself, more often than not, it’s a problem that is likely to spread and grow worse if left untreated. In fact, some of the more aggressive forms of lawn fungus can spread in a matter of 24 to 48 hours taking your problem from a small one, to a significant one.
First and foremost, you want to spot it early as many lawn fungus diseases can spread rapidly. If you are already utilizing professional lawn care and have a lawn care technician visiting your property regularly, then they’ll be keeping an eye out for early signs of a problem.
Even so, breakthroughs can occur in between visits. If you spot fungus on grass, you should contact your lawn care provider. There are lawn fungicide products that can be used to control the fungal spores.
There are lawn fungicide products sold at big box stores and hardware stores for the DIYer. However, you need to find the product that’s rated specifically for your lawn disease in order for it to be effective. That means that you need to make a proper diagnosis as to what type of lawn fungus you’re dealing with. You also need to make sure that you apply it properly. When homeowners start thinking about everything involved, they often decide they’d rather just let a professional handle it. Professional lawn fungicides are also going to be more powerful.
The weather conditions will determine the exact answer to this, however, in general, most lawn fungicides need to be applied every 14 to 21 days throughout the most active growth period for the lawn fungus you’re dealing with. Most lawn fungus infections occur in the late spring and the summer but this is, again, weather dependent. Fungus spreads rapidly in hot and wet conditions.
The cost can vary based on the severity of your case and what products need to be used. It’s important to know that there are also preventative products that can be sprayed proactively in order to prevent problems in the first place. In this case, the cost to repair damage is much greater than the cost to prevent it.
To answer this, we need to be clear that there are both preventative and curative products. If you want to be proactive in preventing lawn fungus then you do need to treat every year. However, when it comes to curative products, these are only applied when there is an existing infection. These products are more expensive than preventative products, plus you might need to deal with addressing some damage, so many homeowners choose to treat their lawn preventatively.
Following some cultural recommendations can definitely have an impact on the likelihood of a fungal outbreak as well as getting rid of lawn fungus faster. If you have an existing fungus problem, you’ll still need a lawn fungicide to control the spores but these additional practices will also help.
For one, you should make sure that you’re watering properly. The hot and humid weather of Northern Virginia (coupled with evening rain showers) can be like an incubator for fungal growth. But you can avoid contributing to excessive nighttime moisture by watering your lawn in the early morning and allowing evaporation ample time to do its work.
Proper mowing can also make a big difference. Mow your lawn to a height of around 3 to 4 inches in the summer using a mower with sharp, clean blades. Lawns that are mowed too short are stressed and more likely to succumb to fungal infections. If you’re aware that your lawn has diseased patches, be sure to wash and disinfect the underside of your mower after each use to prevent spread.
Other lawn care practices can also make a difference. For instance, both over and under fertilizing can promote some fungal diseases, so you want to make sure you’re applying just the right amount. Working with a lawn care professional can remove the guesswork.
In general, the healthier and stronger your lawn is, the better it can ward off problems and even recover from minor turf disease outbreaks. That’s why having an ongoing lawn care program that promotes your lawn’s health can make a big difference.
At the end of the day, you don’t really want to be worrying about lawn disease standing in your way of a great lawn. Fortunately, you don’t have to. You can choose to be proactive and prevent these problems in the first place.
At Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape, we are here to help with any of your lawn problems. You can also count on us to keep a close eye on your lawn and ensure that you’re taking the right steps at the first sign of a problem.
As a result, you can gain peace of mind that your lawn is in good hands.
Don’t let lawn fungus have a chance at harming your beautiful lawn. Instead, request your quote, choose from 3 lawn care package options, and relax as you get the royal treatment.
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