Who doesn’t want a lush, green lawn? While weeds are the in-your-face culprits that can drag down the appearance of your yard, turf diseases are sneaky. Once a fungus takes hold, you’ll notice patchy sections that spread throughout your yard. If you’re wondering why your lawn keeps getting fungus, here’s what could be causing it, as well as what you can do to prevent it.
High Nighttime Temperatures
The weather gets hot in Florida, and temperatures can stay high well after the sun goes down. When nighttime temperatures remain high, it creates the perfect climate for fungus to grow. This often happens from April through September, as high nighttime temperatures keep the atmosphere around your yard warm. Without enough airflow, these conditions can cause fungus to take hold and spread.
Humidity
Florida’s weather is humid almost year-round, which is another common cause of fungal disease in lawns. Humidity keeps grass damp—the perfect place for lawn fungus to thrive. High humidity often causes brown patch fungus, especially in lawns with St. Augustine or Zoysia grass. It appears in the summer and fall when heat and rainfall are at their highest. A targeted fungicide can take care of the problem for good.
Overwatering
Did you know that watering your lawn too much can cause fungus to grow? The common “gray leaf spot” fungus is directly caused by overwatering. Once it spreads, it causes grass to become thin and patchy. It can also cause an orange-colored “rust” fungus, making your lawn vulnerable to other diseases. An appropriate fertilizer application, combined with better watering practices, can help you get a handle on these fungal diseases and restore beauty to your lawn.
Improper Fertilization
Using too much fertilizer doesn’t make your grass grow greener—in fact, it does the opposite. Over-fertilizing and under-fertilizing can make your lawn prone to fungus, like brown spots. Rely on your local lawn care experts to apply an appropriate treatment, then make sure to switch to organic, slow-release fertilizer to take care of the problem.
How to Prevent Lawn Fungus
In addition to fertilizing and watering your lawn at appropriate levels, there are other simple steps you should take to prevent lawn fungus from ruining the appearance of your yard. Always mow to a height of at least 3 inches. Anything below that, and you’ll stress your turf. Anything above that, and you’ll stifle airflow and cause more turf disease.
You should also rely on the help of your local lawn care experts and stick to an aeration schedule. By aerating your lawn at least once per year, you give the turf a chance to breathe, preventing fungus from taking hold.
Say Goodbye to Lawn Fungus for Good
Lawn fungus can be tricky to remedy once it’s taken over your yard. The lawn care experts at Evergreen Lawn and Pest Control in Orlando are here to help! We’ll determine what type of fungus you’re dealing with, as well as how to remove it and keep it from coming back. Call us today at (407) 880-6655 for your free consultation!