This is the very time of the year when I used to see mushrooms start to appear in my lawn. I now know that this is the first sign of
FUNGUS!
Not long after the mushrooms appeared, I would start to see unsightly brown patches scattered throughout my lawn. After purchasing my home 5 years ago, I had a very tough time understanding the humidity levels during the rainy season. It’s effect on my lawn is something I just didn’t think about.
Previously, when I saw brown patches in my lawn the first thing that came to mind was “I have a bug issue”. I would start to panic, and run out and spend all this money on products to kill everything from fleas to King Kong — then I would water it all in heavily.
When that didn’t work, I added some fertilizer and watered it in. But the brown spots continued to spread until 1/8th of my back yard grass just dissolved. And I, like a fool, would then replace the sod - only to repeat the same process again the following year!
You see, my stepdad’s father ran a lawn service since the 40’s and Charlie Crawford Sr. had the greenest lawn 365 days a year. He knew all the old secrets that I had since forgotten, living the condo/apartment life for 20 years. So I decided to call my wonderful step dad, Charlie Crawford Jr. who asked a few simple questions over the phone to help diagnose my 2-year old dilemma with my yard.
So now, having acquired this wisdom the hard way, I am able to help you folks that think every time there’s a brown spot in your lawn that it’s a bug of some sort. If you follow the advice below, you should be fine.
DiG iT TeSt:
Place your finger in the middle of the brown spot and see if there’s moisture and the roots seem to be damp and have a moldy smell. Are there mushrooms present in the lawn? Dollar weeds? Has there been alot of rain in your area lately? Have you cut back on your watering to adjust for the new rainfall amounts?
DiG iT CuRe:
During the rainy season it is best to cut your lawn no lower than 2″ short, this will allow the lawn to have a faster metabolism resulting in more water consumption. I keep my grass at least 3″ or longer and since the rainy season requires you to cut once a week it at least makes it easier for the do-it-yourselfers like me.
DiG iT CuRe:
Cut back on watering during rainy periods. Before the height of the rainy season I PROACTIVELY apply fungiscide. There are many to choose from - even some organics. I also apply a layer of white sand every 2 years over my lawn to keep it thick and well drained (my grandfather, Charlie Crawford Sr., used to do this). At the same time, I apply the fungicide and I apply the fertilizers that I intend on using for that period of the season. Aerate your lawn root system with an aeration tool. This will slow the crowding of the root system (thatching) which helps in reducing fungus break out!
Happy Gardening and Keep Your Lawn Healthy and Green! Let me know if I can be of help in any way!
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