Prevent Red Thread Disease with These Lawn Care Tips
Red Thread lawn disease can leave your lawn with dry, discolored blades of grass and tiny pink or red "threads" growing from the turf that give it an even stranger look. The best way to prevent a red thread infestation is diligent lawn care and making sure that your turf has the nutrients it needs to fight off the fungus.
Maintain a Healthy Lawn
Our Lawn Care Calendars can help you find the right schedule for these recommended lawn care methods.
- Follow watering practices that minimize periods of grass leaf wetness.
- Mow the lawn regularly without removing more than 1/3 of the grass height per mow.
- De-thatch the lawn annually; excessive thatch can shelter red thread.
- Aerate the turf annually to break up compacted soil and improve drainage.
- Allow extra space between new plantings to allow sunlight to the turf.
Fertilize the Lawn to Maintain Nitrogen Levels
Lawns that are starved for nitrogen are the ones most likely to be struck by red thread lawn disease. By taking on a fertilization regimen that is based on the findings of a soil test you can confidently give your turf the additional nutrients it needs to thrive and fight off new fungal lawn diseases.
Take samples of soil from your lawn as directed by the instructions included with your home soil test kit. Your local extension service office can help you understand the test results and how that information should guide your lawn fertilizer planning.
Select a fertilizer labeled for use on your turf and locale and begin your preventative fertilizer application from there.
Keep in mind that over-fertilization of your turf can bring about additional issues including other fungal diseases in certain climates. Over-application of nitrogen in warmer weather can make your lawn vulnerable to problems such as Brown Patch fungus.
