Summer is here and that means tons of time spent on our lawns. Whether you’re walking through your neighborhood, having a picnic at the park or admiring the lawn of a local business, you’ve probably come across brown, dead-looking grass. It’s easy to blame those less-than-lush spots on scorching summer heat, but in reality, there’s a whole host of other potential culprits, including diseases, that could be wreaking havoc on your lawn.
With the heat and humidity that are typical for our Midwestern summers, lawns are more susceptible than ever to persistent fungi and grubs. We break down these two common categories of lawn-destroyers to help you maintain the healthiest lawn possible.
Getting Rid of Grubs
While they may be tiny, grubs can pose a huge threat to your lawn – especially if you’ve never taken any preventative measures against them. Grubs are the larval stage of many types of destructive insects. Once their eggs are laid in the spring and early summer, the grubs hatch, grow and feed on the roots of your grass in mid- to late summer, causing damage to your yard.
If your lawn is showing areas of dead, brown grass that can be pulled with little effort, your lawn could be infested with grubs. Tug on your grass to see for yourself, and if you notice lifeless grass, act quickly! If your lawn is already suffering from grub damage, an experienced lawncare professional will know the right steps to take to treat it. At Rooted Landscape, we help customers find the right application and lawn renovation services to restore their lawns to health.
Know Your Fungi
Fungi in a lawn can manifest in many ways, from odd shapes to differing patterns. Luckily, when you know the signs, there are some key distinctions that make common Midwest fungi easy to identify. Here’s what to look for:
1. One- to five-inch hourglass-shaped blotches: If you see these in your yard, your lawn could be affected by dollar spot fungus, a disease that can affect all species of warm and cool season grasses. This type of fungus thrives in conditions with wet grass and heavy thatch.
2. Circular brown patches that can be a few inches to several feet in diameter: This pattern in your lawn could be a sign of brown patch disease, which thrives in hot, humid summer weather and flourishes with night temperatures higher than 65 degrees Fahrenheit. A surplus of soil moisture and high nitrogen levels also contribute to the growth of brown patch disease.
If you’ve noticed any of these patterns in your lawn, reach out to a lawncare professional that can assess your lawn and confirm your suspicions.
Nurture Your Lawn
Once you’ve mapped out the cause of your yard damage, it’s time to nurture your lawn so it can fully heal. With any lawn disease, it’s imperative to contact a landscaping professional to properly diagnose your lawn and get to the root of the issue. At Rooted Landscape, our experts can diagnose your lawn with a quick visit and lay out a plan to ensure it is maintained in conditions to thrive.
An Ounce of Prevention
Of course, the best way to address grubs is to prevent your lawn from getting infested in the first place. At Rooted Landscape, our 7-Step Lawn Application Program already includes a proven Grub Control Application that prevents turf damage from pesky grubs. Even if your lawn shows no signs of grub damage, it’s essential to use a treatment that can prevent damage – saving you stress and money in the long run.
If you think fungi could be the culprit, our Fungicide Application can help. Or depending on the degree of damage, our team of experts may recommend lawn renovation to restore your lawn to tip-top shape. Ready to revive your lawn? Contact us for a free quote.
Jon Johnson is Rooted Landscape’s President. Founded in 1990, family-owned Rooted Landscape serves as trusted landscaping partner for Kansas City homeowners, HOAs, property managers and home builders. From lawn care to snow removal, sprinkler systems to hardscapes, we bring a passion for the outdoors and a full-service approach to every project. Learn more at rootedland.com.