Late spring is the time of year where turf diseases start to take over lawns. Our cool-season turf grasses here in New Hampshire are susceptible to a number of different diseases. Because diseased lawns are confused with drought-stressed lawns, homeowners will often increase watering – which only makes the problem worse. To determine the difference, you need to take a closer look.
First, check the soil moisture levels and then inspect the turf for disease activity. Some of the lawn diseases we see here in New Hampshire are red thread, leaf, dollar-spot, frog-eye and black smut. Most of these turf diseases start from a spore that activates once conditions are right, creating mycelium – which looks like little cotton balls. From there, it progresses into the disease.
These diseases are unsightly and can cause serious turf damage. They are also spread by your lawnmower. Different diseases require different environmental conditions like humidity and temperature. They can pop up in your yard throughout late spring and summer.
All lawns have disease activity – no lawn is disease-free. To combat disease pressure, we often use fungicide treatments. These treatments can be applied every three weeks throughout the season we offer up to four treatments per year, starting in mid-may fungicide treatments, always work better as a preventative.
So, it isn’t a good idea to wait and see if the problem gets bad before treating the turf.
This video will help you diagnose and potentially treat those problems:
If you would like to have your yard treated, call the friendly office staff at Groundhog Turf Care today for a free quote!