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Brownspots or dead areas in lawns can be common during summer months. It might be a
disease, but then again, it could be something else.
The
three primary reasons that lawns develop brown spots or dead areas are due to irrigation
problems, the development of diseases and insect damage.
Disease Problems. In the hot,
Mojave desert of the Southwest diseases are less likely than in wetter climates
but they sometimes still occur. Most lawn diseases in our hot, desert climate
occur when high temperatures collide with increasing humidity in the air. This
is not the only ingredient for a disease to occur. The lawn must be susceptible
to that disease.
Mojave desert of the Southwest diseases are less likely than in wetter climates
but they sometimes still occur. Most lawn diseases in our hot, desert climate
occur when high temperatures collide with increasing humidity in the air. This
is not the only ingredient for a disease to occur. The lawn must be susceptible
to that disease.
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| Typical summer patch symptoms |
Diseases
problems are best solved through prevention. This is through managing the lawn
to minimize diseases and using the correct fungicide when a disease problem is
imminent.
problems are best solved through prevention. This is through managing the lawn
to minimize diseases and using the correct fungicide when a disease problem is
imminent.
We
influence a lawn’s susceptibility to disease by how we manage it. Here are some
management decisions that you can follow to reduce disease problems to your
lawn. Try to implement as many as possible.
influence a lawn’s susceptibility to disease by how we manage it. Here are some
management decisions that you can follow to reduce disease problems to your
lawn. Try to implement as many as possible.
1.
Finish
watering just before sun up.
Finish
watering just before sun up.
2.
Mow
at the proper height and use a sharp blade.
Mow
at the proper height and use a sharp blade.
3.
Aerate
two months before the heat arrives.
Aerate
two months before the heat arrives.
4.
Use
compost-based fertilizers monthly.
Use
compost-based fertilizers monthly.
5.
Disinfect
mower blades if you mow a suspected diseased area.
Disinfect
mower blades if you mow a suspected diseased area.
When
you suspect a disease is occurring, apply a broad spectrum fungicide (fungicide
that treats many different diseases) as soon as possible. Diseases that should
be listed on the label include summer patch and necrotic ring spot. They might
also mention diseases such as “frog-eye” and Fusarium patch.
you suspect a disease is occurring, apply a broad spectrum fungicide (fungicide
that treats many different diseases) as soon as possible. Diseases that should
be listed on the label include summer patch and necrotic ring spot. They might
also mention diseases such as “frog-eye” and Fusarium patch.