Like all plants turf is susceptible to a variety of diseases, some of which can cause the death of the plant. Most of these are preventable, however, and can easily be cured with the appropriate chemicals, suppliers of which can be found on the TurfPages™ directory.

Prevention is better than cure!

The best way to prevent disease is to look after your turf. Regular mowing is a vital part of this prevention, as it will help to keep the turf is peak condition and cut off any ‘dead ends’ of the turf plant itself.

Thatch is the name for the debris left on the turf that forms a carpet between the turf and the soil. Although some debris is inescapable, it’s important to remove as much of the thatch as you can; it can strangle the plant. The quickest way to stop thatch from growing is to regularly rake the lawn, and never leave grass cuttings on the turf after mowing the lawn.

Mosses grow easily amongst turf, and many can look extremely picturesque. However, they can also cause significant problems for the turf, taking away essential nutrients and moisture. Again, keeping your garden in good order is the best way to prevent moss from growing in the first place; make sure the turf isn’t too much in the shade or the sun, and keep moisture levels at a constant as much as possible.

When prevention is no longer possible

Even with the best will in the world, it isn’t always possible to prevent every turf disease, and each disease will need to be approached with care. Below are brief descriptions of some of the main turf diseases, and the main treatment approaches:

Fusarium Patch

Fusarium patch can be identified by small patches of withered grass, typically orange/brown in colour. The patches may have fluffy white growths in them, and can join together to create larger withered patches.

Generally, fusarium patch is caused by heavy layers of thatch, over-application of nitrogen-based fertilisers or general poor drainage issues. To repair the damage, the first course of action is to repair the cultural issues in the turf, such as removing the thatch. Consult a local garden centre for any beneficial chemical treatments, or consult an expert listed on TurfPages™.

Red Thread

Red thread presents as withered brown leaf tops, with red profusions sticking out from the turf plant itself. It tends to appear during the warmer months of the year, although doesn’t normally cause lasting damage.

The causes of red thread are generally dependent on the weather – warm weather and poor grass growth will all contribute. Making sure the grass is well-fertilised and suitably drained is the best start to controlling red thread, and a light dose of nitrogen-based fertiliser will help clear up the initial symptoms.

Dollar Spot

Dollar spot presents as set of small areas of dead grass, typically in sizes no bigger than a 10p coin. This disease is not typically prevalent in the UK; if it does occur in your garden, the best course of action is to consult a local garden centre to find an appropriate chemical solution.

Fairy Ring

Fairy ring comes in three different varieties. The most severe variation is a ring of entirely dead grass, often with fluffy white growths in the dead area, or mushrooms. The second variety is only a dark green circle or grass, whilst the third is a circle of mushrooms and other growths. All three varieties are caused by cultural problems, in particular high thatch levels and by the turf being grown in areas that was once woodland.

 Treating fairy ring can be very difficult, and one option is to simply let the turf grow out, although this is a lengthy process! Removal of the excess thatch will help alleviate symptoms, and in more severe cases the whole area may need to be carefully dug out and re-seeded. Whilst chemical solutions are available, they are not always effective and can occasionally make the problem worse.

Take-All Patch

Take-all patch presents as saucer-shaped patches of light brown or bleached grass, and if the grass is pulled back black spots will be seen on the roots on the plant. Poor drainage tends to cause take-all patch, although it should be noted that it only affects specific grass blends. There is no known treatment for take-all patch.

Anthracnose

Anthracnose typically presents in autumn. The damage is normally in irregular spots, and the leaves normally turn yellow with a red/orange tint. Poor turf conditions encourage this disease, in particular compacted soils. In terms of treatment, the cultural conditions need to be treated before chemicals are applied.

Leaf Spot

Leaf spot is exactly what it sounds like, appearing in the form of a small brown spot on the leaf of the turf itself. Warm humid weather triggers the disease, as does over-fertilisation of the turf.

TurfPages™ and all related slogans and original content are the intellectual property of TurfPages™ and may not be used without permission. User contributions to TurfPages™ are gratefully accepted, and are acknowledged as such. All company details are listed in good faith, but TurfPages™ can take no responsibility for any problems arising from using a listed company, or from customers referred from TurfPages™. Any information and tips listed have been robustly checked but TurfPages™ can take no responsibility for any problems that may arise from following them. ©2010