Category: Maintenance

Moist, humid weather creates an ideal growing condition for a fungal lawn infection commonly referred to as Red Thread. It can attack both business and residential lawns, and usually results in patches of dead grass that are often large and quite noticeable. The underlying cause of the lawn disease is a fungus called Laetisaria fuciformis.

[I:http://autorepairarticles.com/autorepairarticles/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/TammiBergeron8.jpg]Red thread can occur during any season. However, because it favors a moist, humid atmosphere, it usually strikes in the summer months. Visit this site to read a recent article about a recent red thread issue in New Hampshire. While the fungus will rarely destroy one’s entire lawn, it is unsightly in appearance and can detract from the beauty of a person’s property.

The disease frequently occurs in humid climates where nitrogen-deficient soil is found. Such climates may be cool or warm, but as long as they are humid the fungus will thrive. It is sometimes even present underneath snow. As previously mentioned, its favorite breeding ground is nitrogen deficient soil. However, it will also thrive in calcium depleted soil, or any soil with a compromised pH, such as lawns where herbicides have been overused.

The problem can be identified quite easily if one is aware of the symptoms. The most noticeable of these is a lawn that appears yellow, as if it is not being watered adequately. The tips of the grass blades will also feature a pink discoloration that will start out mild and become more and more noticeable as time progresses.

Upon close inspection, one will notice the infected blades of grass have what appears to be red, thin, threadlike markings that are easily seen when the blade is held up to the sunlight. This characteristic explains where the disease gets its name. If left untreated, the lawn will eventually feature dead brown spots that are circular in shape.

These may be as small as two inches or as large as twelve inches in circumference. When a person inspects one of the larger dead patches, he or she will be able to see white pockets of fungus spores with the naked eye. There are chemicals available that will destroy the aforementioned fungus; however, there are natural ways to deal with red thread as well.

For instance, fertilizing the soil with an adequate amount of nitrogen in order to restore its pH is often an ideal cure. The soil’s pH should range somewhere between 6.5 and 7.0. The addition of nitrogen fertilizer should be followed by deep watering in the early morning hours.

The threat of this lawn fungus can also be reduced by improving the aeration and drainage of the turf. An electric scarifier is quite helpful with regard to this action, as it will remove moss and thatch and increase aeration. Poor drainage should be remedied by forking or the use of a mechanical aerator. It is always wise to dispose of any grass cuttings, as this will help to eliminate the possibility of the fungus re-infecting the lawn.

Property owners who are not sure about the best course of treatment when dealing with red thread should consider seeking the services of a professional lawn service company. However, whichever method one selects, treating the condition as soon as it is discovered is very important. This way both homeowners and business owners can protect the beauty and integrity of their property.

Jim Bolduc helped with this article. Go to his website http://www.jimbolduc.net/contact. Jim can be contact at contact us page.