How to Apply Fungicides to Your Lawn
Fungi can pop up seemingly out of nowhere and begin wreaking havoc on your lawn. While it might be stressful to watch your precious grass turn brown and die, there is a simple solution: fungicides. When applied correctly and soon enough, fungicides can save your lawn and prevent future issues.
Jump To A Section:
- What Does Fungus Look Like On Your Lawn?
- When Should I Apply Fungicides to my Lawn?
- Should You Water Your Lawn After Fungicide Application?
- Can You Put Too Much Fungicide on Your Lawn?
- Professionals Lawn Fungicide Applications
What Does Fungus Look Like on Your Lawn?
Millions of fungi and microbes are in your soil, and most of the time, they’re harmless. Under the right conditions, however, these fungi can multiply and take over your yard, causing your grass to die. The three most common lawn funguses we face in Virginia are brown patch, spring dead spot, and summer patch. They all look different; correctly identifying them is the key to proper treatment.
Brown Patch Disease
Hot, humid weather often triggers brown patch disease, which causes roughly circular patches of your grass to quickly turn yellow and then brown. These patches can be a few inches in diameter to several feet, and often have a border of darker grass blades.
Spring Dead Spot
Spring dead spot manifests as well-defined, bleached-looking patches of grass. They’re most noticeable when the rest of the grass greens up in the springtime. The spots recur every year in the same place and can increase in size several inches each season.
Summer Patch
Summer patch causes your grass to grow slowly, and it dots your property with irregular, straw-colored patches that increase in size throughout the summer. It can also cause dark green, wilted patches of grass. This fungus attacks the grassroots, so blades will die from the bottom up.
When Should I Apply Fungicides to my Lawn?
Fungicides are best used preventatively, which means applying them before the disease takes hold. While this can be tricky, you can look to the past to discover patterns—if you notice summer patch recurring every year, apply a fungicide in the fall. Of course, you can apply fungicides as a treatment for existing diseases. Applications are most effective when the soil temperature is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Should You Water Your Lawn After Fungicide Application?
You should not water your lawn after applying a contact fungicide. To be effective, the product must remain on the blade's surface until it’s completely dry. If you water it before then, the fungicide will be washed away and won’t be helpful. Be sure to check the forecast, as rain can also wash away the product.
Systemic fungicides, however, are absorbed by the roots. To be effective, this type must be watered in after application. Always carefully read all instructions before use to ensure you use the product correctly.
Can You Put Too Much Fungicide on Your Lawn?
Yes, you can use too much fungicide on your lawn. Always refer to the product instructions on the amount of fungicide that should be used, as too much can burn your grass or kill good microbes, negatively affecting the soil quality.
Professionals Lawn Fungicide Applications
At Agronomic Lawn Management, we proudly provide lawn fungicide applications. By letting Chesapeake lawn care professionals handle things, you’re taking all the guesswork out of lawn care. You won’t have to worry about whether you diagnosed your lawn correctly or bought the best products because we do all of that for you!
We’ll schedule strategically timed treatments based on the type of disease present, the type of grass you have, and any concerns we have along the way. If you’re ready to eliminate unsightly lawn disease, call us at 757-563-8588 to schedule your appointment today.