Common Lawn Diseases to Look Out for in Your Florida Lawn
The warm, humid climate in Florida can make lawns vulnerable to common lawn diseases, especially during the fall. To control fungus in your lawn, the first step is knowing what type of lawn disease you’re dealing with. Sometimes it can be difficult to diagnose a certain lawn fungus and it’s important for homeowners to know when to consider calling a pro! We’ve compiled a list of the most common lawn diseases we see in Central Florida lawns.
Take-All Root Rot
Appropriately named, root rot affects the roots of your grass. It causes wilting of the grass blades and could eventually result in killing your grass. Take-all root rot is commonly active in spring or fall months when temperatures are cooler in Florida. Excessive moisture and poor air circulation can encourage this lawn fungus. Monitoring the thatch layer in your lawn and completing aeration each spring to help prevent it. When watering your lawn, pay attention to the amount of rainfall in your area and adjust your schedule accordingly to avoid overwatering.
Brown Patch Fungus
Brown Patch loves St. Augustine grass, making Florida lawns a top choice. However, it can also affect tall Fescue and Zoysia grass. This lawn disease appears as brown or tan circular patches of grass with a darker ring around the edges. The affected areas can be as small as a few inches to a few feet in diameter and can quickly expand in size. Brown patch is active when day temperatures exceed 85 degrees and evenings exceed 70, making Florida’s weather ideal for this lawn disease. Similar to root rot, aeration can help, as well as morning watering to limit overnight moisture on your lawn.
Dollar Spot
If you ever notice spots throughout your lawn, around the size of a silver dollar, you probably have dollar spot fungus. Common in warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine grass, this lawn fungus will cause lesions on the grass blades. Dollar spot can be a sign of nutrients lacking in your soil and in some cases, can be resolved with a lawn fertilizer. However, some severe cases may be a fungicide application. Taking a soil test will show that the soil is lacking nitrogen which is a welcome sign for dollar spot fungus.
Gray Leaf Spot Fungus
Leaf spot fungus is a common concern for many Florida homeowners as it primarily affects the state’s common turfgrass: St. Augustine grass. The warm and wet Florida climate can make this disease feel welcome on your lawn. This disease appears as lesions on the leaf blades, causing the grass to wilt or die. It’s especially prominent during periods of high humidity. To prevent grey leaf spot, remove the thatch in your lawn, mow at the recommended height, and only when the grass is dry.
Preventing Florida Lawn Diseases This Fall
Needless to say, good lawn maintenance is a surefire way to prevent fungal diseases in your lawn. You’ll have the best chance of a healthy lawn with annual aeration, removing thatch build-up, good watering habits, healthy mowing, and a proper fertilizer regimen. Depending on the type of lawn disease, a preventative fungicide application may also be available. Curative fungicides can be applied when some lawn diseases are active but it’s important to act quickly and know when to contact a professional.
Central Florida Lawn Care and Lawn Disease Solutions
As fall approaches and temperatures become favorable for many common Florida lawn diseases, it’s important to act fast if there’s cause for concern. Homeowners can trust the team at Pearce Lawn Care for professional and reliable lawn care and lawn disease control in Central Florida. Our lawn care services are built to maintain a healthy lawn throughout each season. Since 1994, we’ve provided lawn care, pest control, aeration, and more to the Greater Melbourne area and beyond. Ask us about our “Happiest Program” which includes lawn disease control for a little extra peace of mind. Contact us today for a quote!