Various fungal diseases can affect turfgrass in Cincinnati. Brown patch, dollar spot and rust thrive under specific environmental conditions. Recognizing symptoms and implementing preventive measures helps homeowners keep lawns healthy. This article provides an overview of common lawn diseases and how to prevent them.
Brown patch is a soil borne fungus that causes circular brown lesions during hot humid weather. Dollar spot appears as small tan spots with a straw colored center and thrives in low nitrogen conditions. Rust manifests as orange powder on grass blades during dry periods. Proper identification is crucial for choosing control measures. Cultural practices such as mowing at the correct height, watering early in the morning and avoiding excessive nitrogen reduce disease pressure.
Improve air circulation by thinning dense shrubbery and trimming trees. Remove dew from leaves by lightly dragging a hose over the lawn on still mornings. If disease persists, use fungicides labeled for turf and apply according to directions. Rotate fungicide classes to prevent resistance. Keep in mind that fungicides are preventive rather than curative; applying them before or at early signs of disease yields the best results.
Mowing practices are a cornerstone of lawn care. Set your mower blades high and remove no more than one third of the grass blade at a time. Taller grass shades the soil surface and makes it harder for weed seeds to germinate. Sharp blades produce a clean cut that heals quickly. Mow when the grass is dry and vary the mowing direction to reduce soil compaction.
Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep roots. Most lawns require about one inch of water per week from rainfall or irrigation. Watering early in the morning reduces evaporation and disease risk. On heavy clay soils, divide the weekly irrigation into two or more sessions to allow absorption. Avoid daily sprinkling because it leads to shallow roots and higher weed pressure.
Apply a slow release fertilizer only when grass is actively growing. Cool season grasses in Southwest Ohio begin active growth once soil temperatures reach about sixty degrees. For most homeowners this means waiting until mid to late May. A soil test reveals nutrient levels and pH, helping you adjust with lime or sulfur if needed. Over fertilizing encourages rapid top growth at the expense of roots and can lead to runoff.
Core aeration relieves compaction by removing small plugs of soil and thatch. The holes allow air, water and nutrients to penetrate more deeply and stimulate root growth. Aeration is most effective when the lawn is actively growing and the soil is moist. For cool season grasses this is usually early fall, but severely compacted lawns may benefit from spring aeration. Leave the cores on the surface to break down naturally.
Healthy turf naturally suppresses many weeds, but monitoring and prompt control are still necessary. Apply a pre emergent herbicide in early spring to prevent annual weeds like crabgrass from germinating. Hand pull or spot treat broadleaf weeds while they are small. If you notice invasive weeds, address them quickly to prevent seeding and spreading. Integrated weed management combines cultural practices, manual removal and selective herbicides when needed.
Maintaining a healthy lawn through proper mowing, watering, fertilization and aeration is the most effective way to prevent diseases. By creating conditions unfavorable to pathogens and using fungicides only when needed, Cincinnati homeowners can manage lawn diseases while preserving environmental quality.
Keep grass at the recommended height and remove no more than one third at a time to reduce stress. In the event of severe disease outbreaks, consult with a turf specialist to determine if reseeding or renovation is needed.
Lawn Impressions LLC is your trusted local lawn care expert serving Franklin, Lebanon, Dayton, Cincinnati and surrounding areas. Located at 3407 Pennyroyal Road, Franklin, Ohio 45005, we've been treating Ohio's unique clay soil and climate challenges for over a decade.
We proudly serve Warren County, Butler County, and Montgomery County including: Franklin, Lebanon, Dayton, Springboro, Centerville, Beavercreek, Middletown, Hamilton, West Chester, and Cincinnati.
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