It seems our introduction to summer has arrived, and with it, Extension offices across the state are getting many calls about problems with lawn and turfgrass. During this transition time when warm-season grasses are exiting dormancy, they are at an increased risk of developing disease. This week, I wanted to chat a bit about some of our most common turfgrass diseases and how to help keep your lawn healthy and looking good this spring and summer.
Every year, disease and fungi cause significant injury to lawns in Georgia. Different types of grass are affected by different diseases, and environmental conditions play a huge role in disease development. I am still getting used to writing for a region instead of just Lincoln County, so bear with me if I make some generalizations that are not accurate for you specifically. In general, most diseases thrive in hot, humid weather- and in the last 30 days, the Clarks Hill Weather Station has recorded an average high temperature of 83 F with 71% humidity and less than a ½ inch of rain since April 19th. Most turfgrass diseases need temperatures between 75-90 degrees and high humidity in order to occur- essentially, the longer the blade of grass stays wet, the more likely disease is to occur. This is why we always recommend watering your lawn first thing in the morning when the leaves can dry off quickly. When you water late in the day or have a lot of afternoon thunderstorms, the grass stays wet a long time- sometimes even until the next day, which can cause disease to flourish.
The best treatment for lawn diseases is prevention. A healthy, well cared for lawn is always going to be more resilient to disease and pest damage. Each species of turf has specific nutrient and care requirements. Information and calendars to help you plan lawn care are easily accessed at the GeorgiaTurf website or through your local Extension office. Some care practices can be recommended for all turf species. First, avoid the over-use of nitrogen fertilizers during the spring and fall seasons as it causes lush, fast growth of grass that is a prime candidate for disease. As I mentioned, be sure to irrigate only when needed, first thing in the morning, and only about 1 inch of water per week. Keep lawns mowed to the proper height for the grass species to help avoid stress, and remove lawn clippings to help prevent the spread of disease to other areas. Finally, soil test your lawn regularly and apply lime and fertilizer according to your soil test recommendation to help promote lawn heath.
If preventative action is not sufficient, turfgrass diseases can be identified and treated with pesticides. Be sure to work with your local Extension office to determine what specific disease you have an issue with- large patch is one of the most common and presents as 2-3 ft diameter circular patches that are tan or brown in color which can quickly expand up to 10ft or more. A fungicide labeled for the species of grass you have and the type of disease you’re experiencing can be an effective treatment, but you must follow label instructions. Should you need assistance with your lawn or turfgrass, please contact your local Extension office or the Lincoln Extension office at 706-359-3233 or uge3181@uga.edu.
