A healthy lawn is the best defense against lawn diseases and other problems. But when the weather favors the disease more than the lawn, problems can occur. Gardening author Melinda Myers offers advice on achieving healthy lawns. She has written more than 20 books, including “Small Space Gardening” and the “Perfect Lawn” series. Myers hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD series and the nationally syndicated “Melinda’s Garden Moment” TV and radio segments. She is also a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine.
Myers’ recommendations include:
Once you discover a disease, visit a site such as milorganite.com for more detailed information and photos to help with diagnosis. Correct lawn care practices to speed recovery and avoid problems in the future. Proper care and reseeding dead areas with disease-resistant grass varieties is usually enough to manage the disease. Be sure a fungicide is needed before applying it. These chemicals are costly, and results can be disappointing. When used improperly, they can be harmful to pollinators and the environment.
Further speed recovery with a change in mowing habits. Continue to mow high but cut the healthy portions of your lawn first. Then cut the grass in the diseased areas. Once done, use a disinfectant to clean the mower blades, then rinse with clear water. This along with collecting and disposing of clippings from the diseased areas of the lawn reduces the risk of spreading the disease next time you mow.
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