Q. I have never had fungus in my front or back lawn for
decades. My front yard is good, but my backyard is absolutely horrid now. I had
a clock problem but I never water during the night. I sprayed a fungicide and
it did not help. Everyone tells me the fungus will always be there and continue
to cause problems. I am concerned about the cost of continually buying and
spraying fungicides in the future.
A. Three problems cause
lawns to fail; irrigation, disease and insects. By far, the majority of
problems in the desert are irrigation problems. Without irrigation, lawns
cannot exist. The reason for a lawn browning, however, can easily be
misidentified.
lawns to fail; irrigation, disease and insects. By far, the majority of
problems in the desert are irrigation problems. Without irrigation, lawns
cannot exist. The reason for a lawn browning, however, can easily be
misidentified.
I follow a three-step process in lawn problem
identification that relies on the elimination of problems in this order;
insect, irrigation and finally disease.
identification that relies on the elimination of problems in this order;
insect, irrigation and finally disease.
Insect problems are the easiest to identify between the
three. Insect damage to a lawn may not follow any type of visual pattern because
they usually involve some sort of “eating” of the roots, stems or leaves.
Lightly pulling on damaged grass that neighbors dead areas usually reveals if
it is insect damage.
three. Insect damage to a lawn may not follow any type of visual pattern because
they usually involve some sort of “eating” of the roots, stems or leaves.
Lightly pulling on damaged grass that neighbors dead areas usually reveals if
it is insect damage.
Irrigation. Browning of the lawn because of inadequate irrigation
usually resembles the irrigation pattern. Identifying where the sprinkler heads
are located, and then identifying the pattern of damage, oftentimes confirms if
the damage is related to irrigation. Sometimes looking at individual blades of
grass reveals tip burn or dieback from a lack of water.
usually resembles the irrigation pattern. Identifying where the sprinkler heads
are located, and then identifying the pattern of damage, oftentimes confirms if
the damage is related to irrigation. Sometimes looking at individual blades of
grass reveals tip burn or dieback from a lack of water.
Disease. Browning from diseases may or may not follow a pattern
depending on the disease and are the most difficult to identify. In the case of
diseases, the only sure way is to send a sample to a pathologist but by the
time you get the results it’s too late.
depending on the disease and are the most difficult to identify. In the case of
diseases, the only sure way is to send a sample to a pathologist but by the
time you get the results it’s too late.
Another way is to apply a fungicide. If the disease stops
then it’s possible, but not always correct, the problem was caused by a
disease. Browning of the grass caused by diseases can reveal some very
interesting patterns when it is first starting. These patterns might be
circular brown damage with a green center (frogeye) or in the shape of
horseshoes, or no pattern at all.
then it’s possible, but not always correct, the problem was caused by a
disease. Browning of the grass caused by diseases can reveal some very
interesting patterns when it is first starting. These patterns might be
circular brown damage with a green center (frogeye) or in the shape of
horseshoes, or no pattern at all.
Looking for disease problems usually involves getting on
your knees and looking at individual blades of grass growing closely to the
brown area. Sometimes spotting or discoloration of individual blades of grass
may indicate the presence of a disease.
your knees and looking at individual blades of grass growing closely to the
brown area. Sometimes spotting or discoloration of individual blades of grass
may indicate the presence of a disease.
In any case, spraying a
fungicide when insects or irrigation are the problem will not correct it. Go
through this three-step method first before jumping to a conclusion about a
disease problem and applying pesticides.