Your lawn is vulnerable to various diseases throughout the year. Some arise due to inadequate lawn maintenance, while others can occur regardless of how well you care for your grass. Weather conditions can stress your lawn, making it more susceptible to diseases such as: red thread, leaf spot, Microdochium patch (Fusarium), snow mold, and dollar spot.
Lawn diseases come in many forms, most of which are caused by fungal infections that attack the grass and deplete it of essential nutrients. These diseases weaken the grass, causing discoloration and, in severe cases, killing the lawn entirely. Infections can develop at any time of year but are most likely to appear in warm, wet conditions.
Easily recognized by its pinkish-red hue on the grass, this disease often presents as fine, thread-like strands protruding from the blades. In more severe cases, you may notice pink mycelium resembling small tufts of cotton wool.
This is another frequently seen lawn disease, appearing as small, circular yellow patches that can expand up to 30cm in diameter. As the disease progresses, these patches darken to a yellow-brown shade and, in severe cases, can completely kill the grass. Once the infection becomes inactive, the affected areas turn pale and straw-like.
Closely related to Microdochium Patch, Snow Mould is another cold-weather disease that thrives in lawns with poor air circulation. It produces white, disk-shaped patches of fungal growth, which can turn pink in severe cases.
This disease is characterized by distinct circular patches that may merge to form larger affected areas. Within these patches, the grass appears bleached white or straw-colored, and in some cases, the affected spots may be slightly sunken.
