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Diseases
Grass like any other plant may be susceptible to attack by pests and diseases. Grass is more resistant and less prone to disease when it is well maintained and is growing will. But with even the best maintenance regime your lawn may still be open to attack.

Fungal diseases
Lawn diseases are not something that an amateur gardener should unduly worry about. It is often that case that patches which are caused by over fertilization or weed killer are misdiagnosed as a disease. Below is a list of the common ailments for a lawn.

  • Snow Mould (Microdochium nivale) Open or Close
    Season: Can occur in any season but most common in autumn and early spring
    Symptoms: At first small patches of grass turn yellow or orange and then spread out in size and number. The original patch is now a large brown area. The ill grass can be wet and slimy.
    Preventative measures:
    Take measures to reduce lasting surfcare dampness, eg correct drainage, increase the aerial circulation. Avoid high- nitrogen fertilisers and lime in autumn. Keep off the grass in frosty weather. Always remove lawn cuttings.
  • Red Thread (Laetisaria fuciformis) Open or Close
    Season: Appears in late summer and autumn when mild
    Symptoms: This affects fine grasses which are slow growing, high maintenance grasses. Spot like damage to the lawn, these have a pink or reddish appearance due to the pin like red growths on the grass leaves. With a strong infestation the grass can die but as a rule the patches recover in spring.
    Preventative measures:
    Nitrogen fertilization should be carried out during the summer months with sufficient dampness to promote the growth. Take care that the nitrogen levels are not too high as this can promote the spread of snowy mould again/
  • Dollar Spot (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa) Open or Close
    Season: Autumn and spring
    Symptoms: A disease again for fine lawns. It forms perfectly circular spots which are separated sharply, the grass in the inner of these spots has mostly died. The brown and yellow spots can spread and join up and cause larger damage to the lawn. Dollar spot can appear in combination with red thread.
    Preventative measures:
    Use resistant types of fescue, ensure the lawn has a good maintenance regime and a well balanced supply of nutrients and nitrogen.

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