Everyone desires a lush, green lawn—not a brown or patchy one, just pure green. That’s a reasonable expectation. We believe so too.
A vibrant green lawn enhances any outdoor activity, whether you’re enjoying good weather, playing with your dog, or hosting a family gathering. What you want to avoid are uneven, scraggly patches and messy, neglected areas.
Spotting unusual colored spots should raise a red flag. For example, pinkish or reddish hues may indicate a problem. Such spots could be caused by a common lawn fungus called red thread.
In this discussion, we'll cover how to recognize red thread lawn disease, how to treat it, and how lawn care in Tupelo, Oxford & New Albany, MS, can help.
Any lawn fungus only appears under the best of conditions.
If your lawn is stressed, it can develop a lawn disease. It’s similar to how negative health impacts can happen when you’re stressed. Maybe you get a headache, for instance, or can’t sleep. However, while your stress may stem from work or family issues, your lawn experiences stress for other reasons.
Mowing improperly, for example, can stress your lawn out. This usually means mowing too short or mowing more than one-third of the grass blades at one time.
Watering correctly is also essential. If you water too much or in the evening when your lawn can’t dry out before nightfall, then you encourage disease-causing conditions, such as persistent wet, humid areas.
These cultural practices contribute to the development of lawn fungus. Starting by perfecting these practices can be a good way to prevent disease.
You might think you’re hallucinating the first time you see what looks like reddish-pink patches in your lawn. Maybe it’s just the sun playing tricks on you.
However, if you take a closer look, you may notice that these spots actually appear different from your traditional green, healthy lawn areas.
Red thread lawn fungus is the culprit. And it’s named after those pinkish-red, spiky threads that seem to extend out from the tips of your grass blades. Let’s dive deeper into understanding this disease and treatment options.
When you hear the name and see the description, you might think red thread is easy to identify.
This disease typically appears early in the year, preferring cool, moist conditions in the spring.
Red thread may look like it causes ragged grass blades that are dying from the tip down, but it’s actually the result of your grass blades growing a fungus. This fungus is called Laetisaria fuciformis, and it’s the reason this lawn fungus is difficult to control, as the fungus grows beneath light tan or beige grass, which masks the disease.
Red Thread requires a host, which is your grass, to infect initially.
It thrives under specific conditions, such as heavy rainfall and temperatures between 59 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. These conditions typically occur in spring and fall.
Occasionally, you might see red thread during the summer if there are extended periods of rainy and cool weather. A lack of nitrogen in your lawn's fertilization can weaken your grass, making it more vulnerable to disease.
Once present, this fungus can spread to other areas through wind and contaminated lawn equipment like mowers.
Besides proper lawn care practices such as correct fertilization, precise mowing, proper watering, and annual aeration, you might require additional measures to treat full red thread lawn fungus.
Usually, applying extra nitrogen helps resolve red thread, but it's also advisable to ask about curative fungicide treatments.
With lawn disease being a significant concern in Tupelo, Oxford & New Albany, MS, it is essential to work with a lawn care service provider who is knowledgeable about lawn diseases, allowing them to identify and eliminate issues correctly.
With red thread, the main point to remember is that maintaining adequate lawn nutrition levels can help lessen the disease's impact and even aid in your lawn's faster recovery from red thread.
If conditions are present for red thread lawn fungus, fertilization can help your lawn recover from the diseased areas. As weather conditions improve, the disease will continue to disappear as your lawn gets stronger and stress is lowered.
If you’re still worried about weird spots you’re seeing in your lawn, let Lawn & Pest Solutions help. We understand how lawn diseases work in Tupelo, Oxford & New Albany, MS, and can help you quickly restore your green lawn.
Ready to learn why Lawn & Pest Solutions could be your choice for lawn disease control services in Tupelo, Oxford & New Albany, MS? We’d love to learn more about you and help you have the best lawn on the block. Get started today with a free quote. Together, we can prepare a customized plan that is perfect for you and your lawn.
Image Source | Red Thread