FUNGICIDE APPLICATION

A beautiful lawn can quickly be destroyed by Brown patch, which is a serious fungal disease, that can affect all cool season grass. Conditions that encourage the development of the disease begin when there is high humidity and when nightly temperatures exceed 60˚F. This causes an extended period of “leaf wetness.” Typically, this happens during mid-May in Central Alabama. Our preventative disease program includes 3 treatments starting in mid-May. Treatments are 28 days apart so that the protection lasts throughout the summer.

In addition to the fungicide program, here are some good lawn care practices that can be very effective at preventing/reducing disease pressure.

• Irrigate only as needed (never more than 2-3 times per week) during the early morning hours. Never water in the late afternoon or at night.
• Provide adequate drainage for all lawn areas.
• Correct soil compaction with core aeration.
• Over-seed your lawn each fall with the highest-quality disease-resistant cultivars available. All of the seed we use must meet this criteria.
• Keep lawns mowed on a regular basis at 3.5-4 inches in height. Mowing any lower than optimum height can increase disease severity.
• Have the soil tested, and apply lime according to test recommendations. Disease may be more severe if the soil pH is less than 6.0.