Lawn care in Austin, Texas, presents unique challenges due to the region’s hot summers, variable rainfall, and high humidity. These conditions are perfect for fostering various lawn diseases, which can quickly turn a lush, green lawn into a patchy mess. Understanding the common lawn diseases in Austin and how to treat them is essential to maintaining healthy turf.
In this blog, we will explore the most prevalent lawn diseases in Austin, their causes, and how to effectively manage or prevent them.
Brown Patch Disease
What Is Brown Patch Disease?
Brown Patch is one of the most common lawn diseases in Austin. This fungal disease thrives in humid, warm conditions and primarily affects St. Augustine grass, one of the most popular types of grass in the region. Brown Patch disease creates circular, brown patches that can range from a few inches to several feet in diameter.
Causes of Brown Patch Disease
Brown Patch disease is caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani. The fungus typically becomes active when nighttime temperatures are above 70°F, and the lawn has excessive moisture. Overwatering, poor drainage, and excessive nitrogen fertilizer are common contributors.
How to Treat Brown Patch Disease
- Water management: Avoid watering your lawn late in the day. The grass should dry before evening to reduce humidity levels, which favor fungal growth. Water in the early morning to allow the lawn to dry during the day.
- Fungicides: For severe infestations, fungicides may be necessary. Look for a product that contains azoxystrobin or propiconazole to treat Brown Patch effectively.
- Proper mowing: Avoid cutting the grass too short, as this weakens the turf and makes it more susceptible to the disease. Keep your mower blades sharp to prevent additional stress on the grass.
Take-All Root Rot (TARR)
What Is Take-All Root Rot?
Take-All Root Rot is a serious fungal disease that affects several types of grass in Austin, particularly St. Augustine and Bermuda grass. This disease causes the roots of the grass to rot, leading to yellowing, thinning, and dead patches in the lawn.
Causes of Take-All Root Rot
TARR is caused by the fungus Gaeumannomyces graminis var. graminis. The fungus thrives in moist, warm conditions, often following prolonged wet periods. Compacted soil and poor lawn health also increase susceptibility to the disease.
How to Treat Take-All Root Rot
- Soil health improvement: Aerating your lawn can improve drainage and reduce soil compaction, both of which help reduce the risk of TARR. Applying a top dressing of compost can also boost microbial activity and enhance soil health.
- pH adjustment: Take-All Root Rot thrives in alkaline soils. Applying elemental sulfur or acidic fertilizers can lower soil pH, making it less favorable for the fungus.
- Fungicides: Fungicides containing azoxystrobin or propiconazole can help control TARR, but they are often most effective when applied preventively in the spring or early fall.
Gray Leaf Spot
What Is Gray Leaf Spot?
Gray Leaf Spot is a fungal disease that primarily affects St. Augustine grass in Austin. It typically appears during the hot, humid summer months and is characterized by grayish-brown lesions on grass blades, often with a yellow halo. Severe infections can cause grass blades to wither and die, leading to unsightly patches.
Causes of Gray Leaf Spot
Gray Leaf Spot is caused by the fungus Pyricularia grisea, which thrives in humid, warm environments. Excess nitrogen fertilizer, particularly in the summer, can exacerbate the disease. Poor air circulation and overwatering also contribute to the development of this lawn disease.
How to Treat Gray Leaf Spot
- Fertilizer management: Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers during the hot summer months. Instead, opt for a balanced fertilizer that promotes steady growth without encouraging excessive leaf tissue, which can make the lawn more susceptible to disease.
- Watering practices: Water your lawn deeply but infrequently, and always in the early morning. This helps prevent prolonged leaf wetness, which can promote fungal growth.
- Fungicides: If the disease becomes severe, you may need to apply fungicides. For effective control, look for products containing thiophanate-methyl or azoxystrobin.
Dollar Spot
What Is Dollar Spot?
Dollar Spot is a common lawn disease that gets its name from the small, dollar-sized patches of dead grass it creates. This disease primarily affects Bermuda grass and Zoysia grass, both of which are popular in Austin. The disease typically appears in the spring and fall when nighttime temperatures drop and morning dew persists on the lawn.
Causes of Dollar Spot
Dollar Spot is caused by the fungus Sclerotinia homoeocarpa. The fungus thrives in low-nitrogen environments and is often exacerbated by drought stress, excessive thatch, and poor soil health.
How to Treat Dollar Spot
- Fertilization: Maintaining proper nitrogen levels is one of the most effective ways to prevent and treat Dollar Spot. Apply a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer to keep your lawn healthy and more resistant to the disease.
- Thatch management: Excessive thatch can harbor the fungus that causes Dollar Spot. Aerate and dethatch your lawn regularly to promote air circulation and water infiltration.
- Fungicides: For severe outbreaks, apply a fungicide containing chlorothalonil, myclobutanil, or propiconazole.
Pythium Blight
What Is Pythium Blight?
Pythium Blight is one of the most destructive lawn diseases in Austin, causing rapid death of grass in circular patches. This disease is most common in cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass, but it can also affect Bermuda and Zoysia grasses under the right conditions.
Causes of Pythium Blight
The disease is caused by Pythium species, which thrive in poorly drained soils with excessive moisture. Pythium Blight often occurs after heavy rains or excessive irrigation, particularly during hot, humid conditions.
How to Treat Pythium Blight
- Improving drainage: Aerating your lawn and correcting any drainage issues are critical steps in preventing and managing Pythium Blight. Avoid overwatering and ensure that the soil is not constantly saturated.
- Proper mowing: Keep your lawn at the recommended height for the grass type and avoid mowing when the grass is wet, as this can spread the disease.
- Fungicides: Fungicides containing mefenoxam or propamocarb can be effective in controlling Pythium Blight. Apply at the first sign of disease to prevent further spread.
Rust
What Is Rust?
Rust is a fungal lawn disease that causes grass blades to take on an orange, powdery appearance, resembling rust on metal. This disease is more common in Austin during periods of mild, wet weather, typically in the spring or fall.
Causes of Rust
Rust is caused by several fungi in the Puccinia genus. The disease is often seen in lawns that are slow-growing due to poor soil fertility or drought stress. Grass blades that stay wet for long periods are also more prone to infection.
How to Treat Rust
- Fertilization: Rust is often a sign that your lawn is not growing vigorously enough. A balanced fertilizer can encourage healthy growth and help the grass outgrow the disease.
- Mowing: Regular mowing can help remove infected grass blades and reduce the spread of rust. Be sure to collect and dispose of clippings to prevent further infection.
- Fungicides: Fungicides are rarely needed for rust, but in severe cases, you can use products containing myclobutanil or azoxystrobin.
Fairy Ring
What Is Fairy Ring?
Fairy Ring is a unique lawn disease that appears as rings or arcs of dark green or dead grass. It is caused by various fungi that live in the soil and decompose organic matter. The disease can affect any type of grass and is most noticeable in well-fertilized lawns.
Causes of Fairy Ring
Fairy Ring is caused by a variety of fungi, including Marasmius oreades. The fungi create rings as they decompose organic matter in the soil. The outer edge of the ring often appears darker due to the release of nitrogen, while the inner circle may die from fungal toxins or drought stress.
How to Treat Fairy Ring
- Aeration: Core aeration can help break up the fungal network and improve water penetration in the soil, reducing the severity of the disease.
- Fertilization: Apply nitrogen fertilizer to mask the rings by promoting even growth throughout the lawn.
- Watering: Deep, infrequent watering can help prevent Fairy Ring from spreading by reducing soil moisture levels in affected areas.
Conclusion
Maintaining a healthy lawn in Austin means being proactive in preventing and treating common lawn diseases. By understanding the specific lawn diseases prevalent in the area and applying proper lawn care techniques, you can keep your yard looking its best throughout the year. Whether it’s adjusting watering practices, fertilization schedules, or using fungicides when necessary, taking care of lawn diseases early on will ensure a beautiful green space.
If you’re experiencing persistent issues or are unsure how to handle certain diseases, don’t hesitate to consult a local lawn care professional for expert advice and treatment options.
