We may have missed most of the April showers, but May seems
to be making up for it! Lawns are growing and filling in nicely, but Late May
is the time of year when we see start seeing “problems” on lawns…..
Many lawns are now flush with flowering of Kentucky
Bluegrass as it goes to seed. Flowering gives the lawn a patchy white cast
which sometimes causes alarm because the lawn was looking so full and green and
now it looks strange. The good news is that there is nothing wrong with the
lawn. It’s just in flower! (With the flowering comes heavier stems or stalks on
the grass, so be sure your mower is sharp or you’ll see more “white tips” after
mowing and shredding the blades and stems.)
The more significant “problem” happening now is Red Thread. This
often shows up in spring right around the time grass is producing seed heads - when
the plant is using a lot of reserves to flower.
With so many overcast and rainy days many lawns are not growing
as quickly as they might if the weather was clear, dry and warm. Red Thread
infection occurs because many lawns have “red thread spores” and when weather conditions are right, those “spores”
“germinate” and spread the disease into the lawn. The pink is caused by “red
threads” in the grass which form from the disease infecting the grass blades.
Often a change in weather conditions – which stimulates the
grass to resume normal growth – will cause the grass to “grow out” these problem
spots. Sometimes – BUT not always – supplemental fertilization helps to
stimulate recovery.
If you see Red
Thread, pinkish spots, or brown spots that just don’t seem to be recovering,
give us a call and we’ll determine the best plan for your lawn.
As the weather changes from the cool wet spring weather we've been experiencing, we'll expect to see other disease issues, summer annual weeds, crabgrass break-outs and normal turf-grass problems. Give us a call if something doesn't seem right. We really do care for your lawn!
