As they say – prevention is better than cure – and it’s just as true for your lawn as it is for your body. Preventing lawn disease isn’t difficult it’s more about maintaining your lawn care routine – much like maintaining your exercise and healthy eating routine.
Don’t over-fertilise
When you fertilise you are adding nitrogen to the soil and while this is important, excessive nitrogen promotes fungal diseases like Brown Patch. Fertilise when your lawn needs it, in a regular fashion as this will eliminate the excessive nitrogen issue and aid in creating and maintaining a strong and healthy lawn that will less likely succumb to lawn diseases.
Mow regularly
By mowing on a regular basis you will ensure that the lawn stays healthy and you will also reduce the amount of lawn that diseases have to propagate in.
Water only in the morning
Night watering is the single largest contributing factor in lawn fungal diseases and other lawn problems. Organise to water or have your watering system activate in the early morning – this reduces the amount of evaporation that occurs but ensures the lawn is not left too moist when night falls.
Repair soil compaction
Waterlogging that occurs when the soil is compaction below your lawn will not only promote lawn disease but will lead to the overall poor health of your soil and lawn. If your soil is compacted aerate as soon as possible to ensure that the soil and the lawn plant root system is receiving the water, air and nutrients it needs to stay strong and fight off any disease.
Let the sunlight in
Grass needs sun – it’s a simple as that! A lack of sunlight allows the lawn to remain damp and therefore become susceptible to fungal disease. It also weakens the plants and limits its ability to grow and self-repair. You don’t need to go crazy but trim any overhanging branches to ensure the lawn receives as much sun as possible.
Improve drainage
Roots and leaves that sit in water too long become extremely susceptible to lawn diseases so before you install a lawn consider the drainage of your property. If you have an established lawn and drainage is a repeating issue, call in the experts to get it sorted so your lawn has the best chance of staying disease free and healthy.
Increase airflow
Lawn that isn’t allowed to breath will let disease take hold so ensure the plants receive adequate airflow. This is achieved by maintaining a lawn mowing routine, not allowing too much traffic in the same area, and not letting heavy objects rest on the stay spot on the lawn over an extended period of time.
Install a disease resistant lawn
If you’re looking to install a new lawn or replace an existing one – consider installing a disease resistant variety such as Sir Walter.
Follow the Daleys Turf blog for more lawn care advice and contact us to learn more about our disease resistant Sir Walter turf.
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