Question
What is killing my lawn? It was fine in the spring, and now this summer, it is looking dead in patchy spots.
Answer(s)
There are several diseases that could be affecting your lawn during the hot summer months. Brown patch (Rhizoctonia) causes irregular brown patches on the lawn. Fading (Curvularia sp.) also causes irregular dead areas. Both of these diseases can spread rapidly during high temperatures, especially when turf is stressed. Brown patch can infect the entire plant if conditions are suitable or can cause a crown and root rot. Both pathogens survive on dead leaf blades and debris that reside in the thatch layer of the lawn.
The best way to manage both diseases is to improve the health of your soil and turf. When mowing during the hot summer months, keep the grass height at 2 ½" to 3" to alleviate stress. Remove clippings to reduce sporulation on decayed leaves, and mow to a shorter height at your last mow in the fall, when the grass has stopped growing. Fertilize only in the fall.
An excessive thatch layer can contribute to disease development. Thatch should be kept at ½ ″ thickness so that water and air can penetrate to the roots. Aeration can improve air circulation to the root system. Be sure to use an aerator that takes soil cores out of your lawn. The machines that punch holes in your lawn only increase compaction. This should be done in the spring or fall when the weather is cool and provides a less stressful environment for your turf to recuperate.
Proper watering is very important. Ideally, water your lawn deeply about once/week when natural rainfall does not occur. Apply the water in the morning to allow the leaf blades to dry quickly. This reduces the moisture available for the fungus to develop and allows for better moisture retention in the soil. Infrequent and deep watering promotes root growth which supports the crown and leaves.
Other Questions In This Topic
- I want to replace a sickly globe willow tree in my front, south-facing, sloping lawn. There are underground utility (water, gas, sewer) and irrigation lines running through the area. What trees would work best in this area?
- Spotted spurge is taking over my lawn. What can I do now, in these hot August temperatures, to knock back this weed problem?
- Is There Any Way To Eliminate Borers That Leave What Looks Like Sawdust At The Base Of Our Aspen Trees?
- How do I keep stray animals out of my yard?
- Is it workable to grow scrub oak from acorns, and if so, I'd appreciate direction. I live near Foothill Drive in SLC.
- I live in Riverton, and have areas in my lawn that are brown and sparse. I planted the lawn from seed, a Kentucky bluegrass blend I bought from a nursery, at least 10 years ago. It grows well in cooler weather, but by summer it looks dead in patches and is stiff, not soft lawn for the kids to play on. I would like to put down some patch seed, but don't know what kind to use and how is the best way to plant. Do I have to take out the old lawn or can I just sprinkle it on and cover with a little bit of soil. Also, is there any way to control the wide leaf weed that grows throughout my lawn as well as the entire neighborhood?
- Due to the dry season, the weeds are overtaking our lawn. Besides watering, is there a weed killer I can apply when it is so hot? Is there a fertilizer or food that would help it?
- I live at an elevation of 6000ft. I am West of Cedar City in the mountains. I would like to know, what is the best low water and high traffic grass I should plant. I would like the type of grass that will stay green as early and as long as possible as well. Thank You Also, any good shade varieties?
