Common lawn problems

Common Lawn Diseases 

This following section summarises the more common lawn fungal conditions which can arise, many of which can afflict otherwise healthy lawns.

Fusarium Patch

Symptoms and conditions:Symptoms begin as a darkened water-soaked appearance to the grass. The patches enlarge and may develop salmon-pink to orange-brown rings of conidia around the outside of the patch. In conducive weather conditions, white, pink or grey mycelia may grow over the patch surface.
Fusarium Patch can occur at any time of the year during conducive weather conditions. It is most common and damaging during the autumn and winter when the weather is mild and moist. It may also occur during spring in mild temperatures and during summer in warm, humid conditions. All turf grasses are susceptible to infection but annual meadow grass (poa annua) is known to be the most susceptible of all.

Factors that allow the grass to be susceptible:

• Poa annua grass dominant sward
• Humid conditions
• Poor surface drying due to shading and/or lack of air movement
• Over-fertilized soft grass growth
• Alkaline rootzone conditions
• Excessive thatch layer

Red Thread (Laetisaria fuciformis)

Symptoms and conditions: Usually seen in summer and autumn months, the disease appears as patches of damaged grass having pink to red tinges (red needles of the fungus).

Control: This disease is associated with infertile soils. Effective soil management and correct feeding programmes will help combat this disease.

lawn partners can apply Fungicide applications if required.