July 1, 2019

With this summer’s uncharacteristic rainfall, lawns across the area have had an especially hard time. One of the biggest problems that lawns are having is an increase in lawn diseases. While a lawn disease may not seem like a big deal, if not treated they can get terribly out of control, decimating your entire lawn. Here are a few lawn diseases that show up in a New York summer to watch out for.

Brown Patch

The Brown Patch disease is caused by the Rhizoctonia solani fungus. The fungus typically does the most damage on bluegrasses, ryegrasses, and tall fescues. The symptoms of the lawn can be different depending on how it is typically cared for, but the disease can be best spotted by some kind of brown lesions on grass. These lesions appear as a large brown patch from a distance away.

Turf Rust

Caused by fungi, Turf Rust is characterized by yellow-shaded lesions that appear on blades of grass. In later stages of the disease, pustules form on the blades which release rust colored spores, which the disease is named after. All types of grass can be affected by turf rust. The fungi usually causes harm to the plant because of environmental stressors.

Dollar Spot

Dollar spot is one of the most destructive turfgrass diseases, affecting a range of grass species. Dollar spot is caused by two different kinds of fungi, forming straw colored spots anywhere from 2 to 6 inches in diameter. The disease typically manifests with high humidity and low soil moisture.

While it is best to take preventative measures to ensure the health of your lawn, if you need treatment for any lawn diseases, we can help! For an estimate, give us a call at (585) 381-9000 or visit our website today!

To read more about lawn diseases, visit the New York State Turfgrass Association or Cornell Extension websites.