Preparing your lawn for the warmer months is an exhausting task, but the effort doesn’t stop once the sunshine arrives. Maintaining garden grass throughout summer and into the colder periods remains equally crucial for ensuring a thriving lawn, yet problems can still emerge despite your best efforts.
Discoloured, brown patches serve as a clear indicator of turf requiring additional care and can develop due to numerous factors. During the shift from summer to autumn, though, there are limited culprits behind such issues, according to horticultural specialists. Phil Catron, president and founder of NaturaLawn of America, disclosed that during summer months, drought and moisture are frequently responsible for compromised grass.
Speaking to Martha Stewart, he explained that fungal infections are a typical consequence of “warm, humid weather”, when lawns become susceptible to root-attacking ailments. These problems commonly manifest as discoloured brown patches connected to three prevalent diseases.
A brown patch appears as an irregularly formed area of brown or tan-coloured grass blades that emerge after turf has become waterlogged. Summer patch, conversely, shows itself as dying or sparse grass that becomes yellow before deteriorating to an unappealing brown shade.
Pythium blight, alternatively called “grease spot” or “cottony blight”, represents a devastating condition affecting turfgrass during warm, moist circumstances. It can produce sunken, brownish zones across lawns, accompanied by a slimy coating on the grass stems.
Regarding the most effective treatment, Phil observed that there’s no single solution. Nevertheless, he encouraged gardeners to consider enhancing air circulation and soil drainage as an excellent starting point.
He cautioned against excessive fertilising and recommended the use of fungicides, which a local gardening specialist can identify the type of fungus and suggest the most suitable fungicide to apply.
Phil said: “Keep an eye on lawn conditions and be proactive about addressing any signs of disease to minimise damage and improve recovery chances.”
In instances where brown patches are fungal, it’s crucial to tackle the issue as quickly as possible.
If the infection remains untreated, the grass may perish. Guidance from the Royal Horticultural Society recommends restoring damaged or bare lawn areas gradually.
Diseased sections can be treated with fungicide and re-seeded or patched. Simply utilise a section of turf excavated from another part of the lawn, or fresh turf if possible.
The RHS explained: “The latter gives instant results, but sowing seed may be easier and cheaper if you have no spare turf to use as a patch.”