Control and Prevention: Fighting Lawn Disease on All Fronts
There are three conditions that combine to create the “perfect storm” for the emergence of lawn disease:
- The presence of the fungal pathogen in your turf.
- The type of grass that is inherently susceptible to the pathogen.
- Stress conditions in your turf that give the pathogen a welcoming environment to take hold – e.g., excess moisture, hot temperatures, unhealthy soil, weeds, improper mowing practices, and damaging insects.
Fungal pathogens can never be totally eradicated from the lawn; they will lay dormant in the thatch, in the soil, or in the grass plants just waiting for the right conditions to become active. Therefore, establishing and maintaining a healthy lawn is the best defense against disease.
Your SavATree specialist will create a holistic, multi-pronged treatment plan for your lawn disease that will:
Treat the fungal pathogen.
Though the existing damage to the grass cannot be un-done, a fungicide can stop the blight from spreading further. Informed by the results of the laboratory analysis and visual inspection of the turf, your arborist will recommend a well-timed treatment that will be most effective against the specific fungus in your turf. To keep the disease from returning, they will likely recommend a preventive disease program.
Overseed with disease-resistant grass varieties.
By spreading high-quality, disease-resistant grass seed onto your troubled lawn, you can establish a sustainably more disease-resistant turf. SavATree uses premium, university-developed grass seed blends that are naturally resistant to disease, insects, and weeds. [Learn more about SavATree Seeding Services.]
Treat any insect and weed problems.
The presence of damaging insects and grub worms, and invasive weeds like crabgrass, can weaken your turf and undermine the effectiveness of your disease treatment plan. Our lawn care consultants can identify and treat existing pest and weed infestations, and apply a preventative treatment. [Learn more about our Weed Control Treatments, and Insect & Grub Control Treatment.]
Aerate the soil.
The compaction of the soil in your lawn can encourage fungal problems by impeding air and water movement and weakening your lawn’s root system. The process of core aeration removes soil cores from your lawn to help water, air and nutrients reach the roots that need them. Learn more about Core Aeration Services.
Fertilize.
In order to develop a healthy turf that is more competitive against disease, your treatment plan may also include a balance of specially formulated nutrients and slow-release fertilizers. [Learn more about our lawn fertilizer programs.]
Proper Cultural Practices
To fortify the disease control treatments provided by SavATree, our lawn care specialist or arborist will provide you with suggestions for improving drainage, mowing practices, and irrigation settings on your property.