Everything you need to know about finding a Lawn and Turf Disease Expert
Most lawns can tolerate pests and diseases, but when conditions are damp the grass can be more prone to them.
Causes and Treatment of Lawn and Turf Diseases
Common lawn and turf diseases include:
- Algae – usually a symptom of a poorly drained lawn. Lawn sand may be used but beware and keep lawns dry.
- Lichen – flat and leaf-like in shape, Lichen are a symptom of depleted soil and too much shade. To heal, apply lawn sand and grow grass.
- Urination from domestic pets – which the turf or lawn dry. Hydrate the grass, use preventative repellants and returf badly damaged areas.
- Worms – simply brush away the casts worms bring to the lawn surface.
- Leatherjackets – draw these crane fly larvae out by placing a plastic sheet on the lawn at night that will draw them to the surface. The birds will enjoy good breakfast after you remove the sheet early the next morning.
Other lawn and turf diseases to beware of include Moss, Chafer bugs, Ant hills, Toadstools, Slime Mould, Snow Mould, Red thread and Dollar spot.
Other simple disease preventative measures you may consider include:
- Drainage
- Removing fallen leaves
- Correct fertilization (especially before using chemicals)
- Preventative sprays which protect against common lawn and turf diseases, but are only necessary when problems have been experienced in the past.