Nothing interrupts the beauty of a lawn like brown spots in grass. Besides being an eyesore, they can lower your curb appeal and threaten your entire lawn. Keep reading to find out how to get rid of these brown spots, especially if they are caused by a nasty lawn fungus.
Brown spots in grass have various causes. Some of the most common include:
Out of those common causes of brown spots in grass, lawn fungus is the most sinister (aside from the dead grass of course). That's why we'll cover how to prevent and treat lawn diseases below.
In most cases, a fungus is harmless. Sometimes, though, as brown and yellow spots become visible, it will become evident that your lawn has contracted fungal disease, putting a blight on your yard. The causes of lawn fungal disease include:
Lawn disease is most likely to occur after several days of humid weather, especially if there's little sun. Any time the grass gets too moist without the chance to dry, the risk of fungus increases.
The best method of treating lawn fungus is prevention. So, before you pull out the chemicals, try these natural lawn fungus control steps:
Using too much fertilizer can make your grass prone to fungi. Too little fertilizer can do the same. If you are concerned about fungus on your lawn, it may be a good idea to try an organic, slow-release fertilizer.
Excess nitrogen in synthetic fertilizer quickly makes a lawn green but can also disturb the natural ecosystem of the lawn. If you want your grass to be less prone to disease, organic fertilizer may be the right solution.
Try watering less frequently for a longer period of time. It's also best to water your grass in the morning so the water has a full day to absorb into the soil or evaporate.
NEVER water at night because the grass will stay wet in the dark and make a perfect home for fungi.
As mentioned above, thatch is a layer of dead grass or roots that covers up your lawn, slowly starving it of air. Once you remove the layer of thatch from your lawn, your soil will have the opportunity to breathe and won't be as vulnerable to fungal outbreak.
Aerating, or poking holes in the ground, loosens your soil to help create a good growing environment. It also creates better drainage for water, so it doesn't become stagnant and attract fungus. Read our aerating guide for more information.
Mowing too low can encourage fungal disease by leaving your grass defenseless. Keep your grass at a height of 3 to 4 inches, and never cut more than one-third off during a lawn mowing session.
Dull mower blades shred the grass instead of cutting it, which makes it more prone to fungal spores. For a clean cut,you should either sharpen or replace your lawn mower blades after every 25 hours of use.
Ensure that your grass type matches the climate you live in. Certain ornamental or exotic grasses may not be suitable for your soil or climate and will e more susceptible to lawn disease. If your grass is a bad fit, you may want to consider re-seeding.
As a last resort, you may want to try a fungicide on your lawn. A fungicide can eradicate your lawn disease as you work on improving your lawn care regimen to prevent fungi from coming back.
There are two main types of fungicide. Liquid fungicide creates a liquid coat over the grass that kills the fungus spores. Granule fungicide comes in little pellets that are spread on the grass and get absorbed into the soil. Remember, fungicide is a chemical, so always wear proper personal safety equipment when using it, like gloves, goggles, long clothing and safety masks.
Like with anything else, if you neglect your lawn, you'll run into problems. Always mow your lawn correctly, and ensure it receives enough water, air, and sunlight. Those best practices should keep brown spots off your lawn for good.