Prevent Summer Lawn Diseases
All lawn diseases have their peak seasons, and some in particular are more prone to show during the summer months. Here are three to look for as the weather warms up.

1 Lawn Rust

Lawn rust typically occurs during the summer and early fall months and is caused by a lack of nitrogen in the soil.
How can I identify it? 
Look for an overall lawn appearance of yellow, brown, or red. Examine your grass carefully and pick-up a few blades. The spore residue from rust has a tendency to rub off when touched. You may even be tracking the dust into the house.
What causes it?
 Lawn rust is the result of inadequate nitrogen and moisture in the soil. Most likely, you haven’t been watering deeply or frequently enough, or you might be cutting your grass too short. Heavy rainfall and sudden changes in humidity can also contribute lower nitrogen levels. And lawn rust is easily spread by people, lawn equipment, wind and rain.

How to solve Lawn Rust? 
Don’t mow as often, and adjust the blade height of your lawn mower to the highest possible setting. Never trim off more than one-third of the grass length when mowing. Water your lawn with about an inch of water per week and apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer to your lawn. Normally, rust will fade away by early fall. Most cases will not need the application of any type of fungicide for control or prevention.
Photo credit: University of Minnesota Extension [Read more…]