How to Deal with Summer Lawn Diseases: Prevention and Treatment
As summer heats up across South Africa, our lush, green lawns can start to show signs of stress. While the sunny weather brings out the beauty in our gardens, it also provides the perfect conditions for lawn diseases to thrive. At GuanoBoost, we know how important it is to maintain a healthy lawn and we’re here to help you tackle these pesky problems head-on. Whether it’s brown patches or fungal growth, let’s explore how to prevent and treat summer lawn diseases.
Common Summer Lawn Diseases
Understanding what you’re dealing with is the first step in effectively managing lawn diseases. Some of the most common summer lawn diseases in South Africa include:
Dollar spot is a fungal disease that causes small, bleached patches on your lawn, often in the shape of silver dollars. It thrives in warm, humid conditions and tends to appear when lawns are stressed due to over or under-watering.
This disease is caused by a fungus that causes circular patches of grass to turn yellow or brown, particularly when humidity levels are high and the temperatures soar. It is one of the most common problems during South Africa’s summer months.
Pythium blight is a serious lawn disease that can kill large sections of turf. It causes areas of the lawn to become soft, slimy and water-soaked, with a foul smell. Pythium thrives in hot, wet conditions, making it common in summer months.
Rust appears as orange or yellow patches and is more likely to occur when the grass is under stress from drought, over-fertilisation or poor soil conditions.
Prevention: Keep Your Lawn Strong and Healthy
The best way to deal with lawn diseases is to prevent them from occurring in the first place. A healthy lawn is less susceptible to disease, so here are some key steps to make sure your lawn stays strong throughout the summer:
Proper watering is crucial during the hot summer months. Water your lawn early in the morning to avoid promoting fungal growth, as evening watering can create an ideal environment for disease. Aim for deep, infrequent watering rather than shallow, frequent watering. This encourages deep roots and helps the grass better tolerate heat and stress.
Aeration improves soil drainage and allows water and nutrients to reach the roots more effectively. It also helps reduce soil compaction, which can lead to poor root growth. Aerating your lawn at least once a year can significantly improve its health and reduce the likelihood of disease.
Mowing your lawn too short can stress the grass, making it more vulnerable to disease. Keep your mower blades sharp and mow at the recommended height for your grass variety. Don’t remove more than a third of the grass blade’s height at any time. This allows the grass to maintain enough leaf surface for photosynthesis and encourages healthy growth.
Using organic fertilisers, such as those provided by GuanoBoost, can help strengthen your lawn’s roots and overall resilience to disease. Organic fertilisers release nutrients slowly, reducing the risk of over-fertilisation, which can stress your grass and make it more prone to disease. The rich organic matter also enhances soil health, allowing your lawn to thrive.
Poor drainage can lead to waterlogged lawns, creating an ideal environment for many lawn diseases. If you notice pooling water, improve drainage by adding organic matter to your soil or installing drainage systems to prevent stagnant water.
Treatment: How to Tackle Lawn Diseases
Even with the best preventive measures, sometimes lawn diseases can still sneak in. If you find yourself battling lawn diseases, here are some treatments to consider:
If you notice patches of infected grass, it’s best to remove them immediately. This helps stop the spread of disease to healthy areas. Be sure to disinfect your tools before using them on other parts of the lawn to avoid spreading the infection.
For fungal diseases like dollar spot or brown patch, fungicides can be effective. However, it’s important to use them correctly. Organic options are preferable as they are less likely to harm beneficial microbes in the soil. Always read the label carefully and follow the instructions for safe application.
One of the best ways to support lawn recovery after disease is to improve soil health. Applying compost or organic fertilisers like GuanoBoost can promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms that naturally fight off pathogens.
Ensure your lawn is not overcrowded by removing any excess thatch or debris. This will allow better airflow and sunlight penetration, reducing the humidity around the grass and making it less conducive to fungal growth.
If your lawn has suffered significant damage from disease, consider implementing a recovery plan. This includes reseeding with a grass variety that is resistant to common lawn diseases, applying compost or organic matter to boost soil health and continuing with the proper watering and mowing practices.
Conclusion
Dealing with summer lawn diseases doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By focusing on prevention, such as proper watering, aeration, and organic fertilisation, you can keep your lawn healthy and resilient all season long. And if disease strikes, don’t panic—act quickly with the right treatment to keep your lawn looking lush and green.
Remember, a healthy lawn is a happy lawn. At GuanoBoost, we’re here to help you with all your gardening needs, from fertilisation to tips on organic care. Let’s keep your garden thriving—no matter what summer throws at it!