Skip to main content

Lawn disease lookout!

Every summer is uniquely different in the Midwest and this one is turning out to be no different.  After the hottest and one of the driest summers in 2012 the summer of 2013 is on pace to be one of the wettest and below normal for temperatures.  Although this sounds great for the lawn care industry it can bring along a lot of issues that would otherwise be missed.  Heavy rains for several days can bring monthly rain totals up on paper but aren't necessarily good for the turf.  Extended times of wet leaf tissue from overnight rains and high humidity can also bring very serious disease issues to the surface over night.

 A lawn that was showing early signs of leaf spot diseases from the high humidity.

The disease issues that we have seen in Lake county so far this summer include read thread, leaf spot, melting out and even a rare instance of pythium blight.  They usually develop as small irregular spots that can expand to include several square feet within 24 to 48 hours.  The symptoms can be very similar to heat or drought stress, insect damage or chemical burns.  We ask all customers and homeowners to keep a close eye on their lawns to identify these issues as soon as possible to avoid serious cases of out of control lawn damage.  Most of the lawn diseases like red thread and leaf spots are mild and will only affect the leaf tissue for several weeks during high moisture and humidity if left untreated.  However, patch diseases and pythium can kill the turf down to the roots if not diagnosed and treated promptly.




Red thread on bluegrass lawn



Severe pythium blight in bluegrass lawn left undetected for 48 hours

Summer can be a great time of year to enjoy the benefits of a well-maintained lawn.  However, the months of July and August can bring a lot of stress to the lawn with high temperatures, wet evenings and high humidity.  Keep a close eye on the lawn to make sure it isn't being attacked by a severe disease that can turn a beautiful lawn ugly very quickly.  If you have any other lawn issues or are seeing early signs of lawn disease call the Lawn Doctor immediately and we can do an on-site evaluation to prevent summer turf damage to your lawn.  

                                       Click Here to contact Lawn Doctor






Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Importance of Early Spring Pre-Emergent Weed Control

The Key to a Weed-Free Lawn: Early Spring Pre-Emergent Weed Control As the first signs of spring begin to appear, homeowners across the country start dreaming of lush, green lawns. However, achieving that picture-perfect yard requires more than just hope and sunshine. At Lawn Doctor, we know that the secret to a beautiful lawn lies in proactive care, and one of the most crucial steps is early spring pre-emergent weed control. Let's explore why this treatment is so important and how it sets the stage for a successful lawn care season. What is Pre-Emergent Weed Control? Pre-emergent weed control is a preventative measure that targets weed seeds before they have a chance to germinate and grow. Unlike post-emergent treatments that kill existing weeds, pre-emergent herbicides create a barrier in the soil that stops weed seeds from developing into mature plants. The Importance of Timing When it comes to pre-emergent weed control, timing is everything. Early spring application is crucial ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Heat tracking in lawns

We have recently noticed a few instances of a somewhat rare phenomenon in the lawn care industry that we would like to point out in an effort to better communicate to both our customers and those interested in lawn care.  Along with the previously posted summer stress issues for the lawn in this blog, we wanted to bring up a more recent issue which is very rare but is currently a potential for lawns across the Antioch, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst, Gurnee, Lake Forest and Waukegan area.  This recent phenomenon is referred to by some in the industry as heat tracking. Heat tracking occurs when pressure is applied to the lawn from foot traffic, lawn mowers, fertilizer spreaders or anything else that can compress the leaf tissue down to the ground below.  When  this pressure is applied at the exact time frame (usually early afternoon at the peak heat of the day) that the turf is at its wilting point or entering dormancy stage it breaks the leaf tissue at the base o...
Post a Comment
Read more

Mosquito Control Services for Kenosha

  Mosquito Control Services for Kenosha Mosquitoes spread discomfort, stress, and disease, so when these pests occupy your yard, it's important to take action right away. With professional mosquito control in Kenosha from the experienced professionals at Lawn Doctor of Southeastern Wisconsin, you can count on convenient and effective solutions that target these pests from all angles. We are proud to get rid of mosquitoes, disrupt their offspring, and defend your yard from incoming swarms! Our LD Mosquito Control Service Plans in Kenosha Our most popular mosquito control option is our LD Mosquito Control service plan. This ongoing support package includes consistent ongoing service to keep your yard protected from these pests. Each visit includes: Prevention.  We start every treatment with a full property inspection to find and destroy their eggs and larvae clusters. Since mosquitoes can only reproduce in standing water, we look for these areas and drain them whenever...
Post a Comment
Read more