Spring Dead Spot: Are You at Risk?
29
OCTOBER, 2018
DIY
Maintenance
Spring Dead Spot is a fungal pathogen that appears just as the name would suggest. If you’ve noticed spots in your lawn that look like bleached patches, it could be Spring Dead Spot. Keep in mind that the spots are just the symptom and you need to treat the problem first.
The spots range from 1cm to 1m in diameter and are a result of the lawn disease attacking the roots. The roots then rot, becoming brown or even black. Spring Dead Spot is typically a spring problem, but it can occur in autumn or winter. It loves the cooler temperatures and extra moisture.
Luckily for most lawn owners, Spring Dead Spot is quite picky. It almost exclusively affects Couch varieties of grass. Sometimes, it will settle for Zoysia but rarely Buffalo or Kikuyu lawns. The problem for Couch varieties is that they’re cared for so intensively. They’re mowed low and frequently. Being such manicured lawns, they provide the ideal conditions for this disease.
So, how do you combat this problem? It can be quite difficult as the lawn patches will already dead. First, look at your soil quality. Fix any compaction, high thatch levels or low potassium levels. After addressing these, you should have better drainage and Spring Dead Spot won’t be able to keep affecting your lawn. After this, it will take some time as the grass will need to regrow over the dead areas.
You can also consider fungicides. A broad-spectrum fungicide can help you to prevent Spring Dead Spot but if your lawn is already affected, the fungicide will only treat the symptoms.
Check if your lawn needs aerating every year to avoid poor drainage and reduce the risk of Spring Dead Spot and other diseases. With some TLC and time, your lawn will be able to recover and be back to normal.
Recommended for you...
Preparing for Christmas Lunch in the Garden
Quick LinksCleaning Up and Preparing Your Backyard Choosing Garden Games for Christmas Day Preparing the BBQ for Christmas DayWith the holiday season just around the corner, it's time to embrace the true Aussie spirit and take your Christmas lunch outdoors. Picture...
Palmetto vs Sir Walter: Choosing the Best Grass for Your Lawn
If you are considering buffalo grass for your lawn, two of the top picks for Australians are Palmetto buffalo grass and Sir Walter buffalo grass. We’ll give you a detailed comparison of these two to help you make the right choice.
Sapphire vs Sir Walter Buffalo: Which One is Better
Creating a beautiful lawn requires careful planning on which type of grass to use. Let’s check the features of Sapphire and Sir Walter so that you can decide for yourself which of these two suits your needs.