Disease

White Patch

To give it the correct name Fusarium Patch or Snow Mould is a common fungus present in all lawns. Fusarium Patch appears as patches of white pinky mould starting on the grass tip and eventually covering the whole blade. The patches often clump together to form large blankets of diseased grass which will die if weak.  It appears after snow in spring and in the autumn in muggy wet weather and loves shady damp areas. No fungicide sprays are available so prevention is the best defence.

Treatment

• Good lawn care is the key for managing this disease.
• Improve drainage by regular aerating in spring and autumn and keep the lawn healthy by regular feeding.
• In autumn and early winter spray with iron sulphate.
• Do not pile snow and compact it on the lawn.
• Each morning after a heavy dew brush the lawn with a Besom broom or long cane to help the lawn dry out – prevention is better than cure!

Red Thread

Red Thread is a very common disease and is likely to be found in the majority of lawns. It is normally seen in the early to mid summer, especially if the weather is warm wet and damp – conditions that this disease enjoys. Although unsightly the lawn does recover. The grass blade will display a distinct red tinge and upon inspection small red needle like growths can be seen protruding from the blade. The blade will often die but the root will not be damaged.

Treatment

• Good lawn care is the key for managing this disease.
• Improve drainage by regular aerating in spring and autumn and keep the lawn healthy by regular feeding.
• Keep an airy aspect – cut back shrubs and overhanging trees to encourage air movement.
• Do not over water your lawn and do not water in the evening as laying water and dampness make the lawn vulnerable to the disease.
• A good nitrogen based feed will stimulate new growth allowing you to “mow out” the affected grass.
• Destroy the clippings carefully – do not use on the compost heap
• If bare patches arise then rake out and re-seed.

Toadstools

Toadstools are common funguses which often appear on the lawn year after year. As with Fusarium they love the same damp wet humid conditions and are most active in spring and autumn. They will often appear over the site of a buried rotting tree stump or other decaying debris.

Treatment

• No fungicide sprays for Toadstools are available but you can minimise the occurrence.
• Improve drainage by regular aerating in Spring and Autumn and keep the lawn healthy by regular feeding.
• In autumn and early Winter spray with iron sulphate.
• Dig out buried debris, remove contaminated soil, replace with sterilised top soil and reseed.
• When toadstools are first seen on the lawn pick them off, place into a carrier bag and place in a refuse bin. Do not mow them out or this will only serve to spread their spores.
• A few broken pieces will soon disappear as they are virtually made of water.
• If a dense carpet appears then treat with 2 ounces of Epsom Salts – Magnesium Sulphate – in a gallon of water per square meter.