Alexandria
Alexandria, OH 43001
740-739-4637
Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed
614-882-0200
You have worked hard all year and it really shows – a warranted pat on the back is due! Late summer is the perfect time of year to feel proud of your lawn and garden as you take in a harvest or sip iced tea while gazing at the hostas. You may have started to notice, however, some spots in your beautiful landscaping that appear to be suspect… While some browning in your lawn is expected during the heat of the summer, some areas may be affected by pesky culprits we know as mold and fungus! All molds are a type of fungus but not all fungi is a type of mold. It can feel a tad confusing but it’s essentially a matter of characterizing them so we can quickly act to identify the best course of action for your yard.
The words, mold and fungus, may be off-putting, but fear not! We are here to help tackle them both head-on so they don’t ruin the anticipation of your late summer dahlia blooms. We know how to identify them, how to treat them, and, most importantly, how to prevent them in the future!
Throughout the summer months, you may have noticed some patchy brown areas in your grass. With the weekly scheduled lawn watering you committed to earlier in the season, these have most likely trended towards dissipation. Unfortunately, if you’re still seeing those spots after watering and they are growing, then you may be dealing with lawn fungus that will need some tending to. With some attention and early treatment, your lawn can definitely bounce back!
Typical fungus thrives in conditions of poor drainage, overirrigation, or overly shaded areas where grass tends to remain damp throughout the day. To take care of the issue at hand, it’s a good rule of thumb to learn each type of fungus for early detection so it doesn’t become a repeated problem. Let us help you with that!
Fungus can easily go unnoticed if you aren’t paying attention, so it’s important that you know what they are and how to spot them.
The four main types of lawn fungus are:
This type of slime mold lives primarily in your mulch and definitely deserves its own call-out. It has a look of fluffy, light yellow eggs, but, do not worry, it doesn’t want anything to do with your living, thriving plants. Phew – breathe a sigh of relief here! While it’s certainly unsightly, it isn’t harmful as its only pleasure is decaying organic material.
Dog vomit mold, also known as scrambled egg fungus, is not the most lovely thing to see, so let’s talk about reducing the appearance and getting rid of it!
Simply raking it out of your mulch or lawn may be enough here! It typically prefers a damper condition, so if it’s raked out and exposed to the heat of the midday sun, it very well might dry up and cease growth. It won’t harm your plants even if they are edibles planned for human consumption, but be sure to not place it in your compost bin as it could encourage more growth in later plantings.
With some raking of the dead overgrowth or brown patches, increased mows, and limiting weekly waterings to every other week, for example, you might begin to see your lawn’s fungus issues turn around. Sadly, it isn’t always that simple! The best thing you can do is prevent the fungus and mold from even growing in the first place. We know, we know, it’s easier said than done.
A few things you can do to help prevent lawn fungus:
In short, if you’re not seeing your lawn and garden bounce back to its formerly lush self, these are some methods that work well in returning longevity and health.
Through trial and error, you’ll gain knowledge. With mold being something that could come back again, discussing a combination of fungicide and fertilizer might be in your landscaping’s favor.
Once fungus has started, it can get out of hand fast. Raking it out, breaking it up to dry out, adding a fungicide, watering on a schedule, and keeping your mowing dialed in will truly be to your benefit.
While prevention is ideal, it’s also okay to admit when something has gotten away from you, and we will be here for you every step of the way! Don’t hesitate to give us a call or ask a trusted and knowledgeable associate next time you’re in!