As the fall weather starts to emerge, so do diseases on your lawn. It is time to start thinking about treating your grass to protect your yard this fall.
Every year when the weather in Georgia starts to drop, our lawns can be incredibly impacted. Luckily, there are a couple of treatment options to help you battle the temperature change and keep your lawn as healthy as possible.
Zoysia Patch Control
If you have Zoysia grass, you may notice large brown or yellow patches on your lawn as temperatures begin to drop. These spots are a type of fungus known as Rhizoctonia solani, and they begin to appear when temperatures fall between 60° and 75°F. If you catch these patches early, the damage can typically be held to a minimal or sometimes prevented completely. The best time to begin fall treatments for zoysia patch is between September and October. For the best results fungicide should be applied every 4-6 weeks until soil temperatures fall below 50°F. Your lawn may also experience less damage if you are proactive in the spring and spot-treat areas that have been affected by the fungus.
Spring Dead Spot Control
If you have a Bermuda grass lawn, you may witness a fungal disease known as Ophiosphaerella species that occurs in early fall when the soil temperatures drop below 70°F. These dead spots are circular patches of grass that appear bleached. Recovery from spring dead spot can take time, so it is vital to begin treating this disease before it emerges. The best time of year to begin preventative treatment is in the fall before soil temperatures drop too low. For the most effective results the fungicide must be applied with a high volume of water to be able to get down to the roots, and similar to zoysia patch, spring dead spot is best prevented by spot treating the effected areas during the spring time.
Steps to take before these diseases hit your yard
- Adjust fertilization: slow down nitrogen fertilization during the fall seasons, these fungal diseases will easily attack any growth nitrogen provides for your lawn.
- Water: It is important to only water your lawn when it needs it, typically 1 inch of water delivered to your lawn in early morning hours is enough for a week.
- Clear debris: remove anything on your lawn that trap moisture on your grass, such as regularly raking your lawn to remove leaves.
- Aeration: Aerate your lawn often to break up compacted soil
Call AgroPro
Agropro is your helping hand this fall, with preventative fungicide treatments perfect for your lawn when temperatures begin to drop. Contact us to see how we can protect your lawn as diseases try to infiltrate it this season.