Scare off ghastly grass goblins

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Cooler temperatures and increased moisture make your grass susceptible to frightful fungal foes.

Cooler temperatures and increased humidity multiply the chances of disease problems in the autumn lawn, particularly after the summer’s exceptional drought and heat.

And no turf is immune — especially if your watering is out of whack.

Bermuda, zoysia and St. Augustine grasses are all susceptible to fungal disease if the following conditions are present: overwatering or high soil moisture, high levels of nitrogen, high soil pH, or improper mowing height.

Here are the common fungal turf diseases in San Antonio.

  • Take-all root rot (pdf) or take-all patch, is a very common fungal disease in St. Augustine characterized by yellowing of the grass and tiny puzzle piece-shaped fungal structures called hyphopodia on the stolons. Reducing water application where possible and applying sphagnum peat moss or ammonium sulfate fertilizer to the lawn helps reduce pH in the soil. Fungicide products should be applied before this fungus becomes a problem because it’s very difficult to cure once established.
  • Brown patch fungus, or Rhizoctonia, is another disease that appears when nighttime temperatures drop below 68 degrees and daytime temps stay in the mid-80s, combined with extended periods of increased humidity. Avoid applying too much nitrogen fertilizer and reduce thatch levels in the grass to help reduce moisture. Infected grass blades can be easily pulled off the stolons. There are many fungicide products available on the market that will stop this fungus when applied properly.
  • Gray leaf spot fungus effects St. Augustine grass in late summer as the result of high humidity and proper conditions. The leaf spots are grayish in color with purple margins. Grass infected with this fungus should not be given nitrogen fertilizers until the disease is cured. There are products available to help treat this disease.

Fungal diseases are usually the result of high moisture and humidity combined with cooler temperatures. If you’ve been watering on a summer schedule, this is a good time to cut back your run time or use the seasonal adjust.

Reducing the amount of water applied to the lawn, core aerating to reduce compaction, and proper care of the soil can all help you lessen the chances of fungal diseases.

For healthy lawns, remember that less is best: Less water, less fertilizer and less compaction.

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