A waterlogged lawn is a conducive breeding ground for fungi. While your lawn may look lush and green, eventually, it\u2019s almost inevitable, that you may need to apply natural fungal control measures, as part of your lawn care routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the success of fungi control using natural methods depends on the severity of the infestation, grass type, and your routine lawn care practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Naturally, your lawn is filled with fungi (living microscopic organisms) and spores. Some are beneficial as they add nutrients to your lawn, while others can be destructive. It takes susceptibility and a favorable environment for fungus to erupt in lawns. Watch out for the following signs if you suspect that your lawn has a fungal disease, not any other problem:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Once a fungus infests your lawn, it will quickly spread, making it daunting to control. Chemical treatments like fungicides might help eradicate the disease. However, they also create problems like soil pH imbalance, when administered incorrectly. Going natural is not only cost-effective but also promotes healthy grass that can recuperate faster should a fungus infestation occur in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are natural ways to treat lawn fungus:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some wild plants like dandelions are drought-resistant and hardy. They have better coping skills for dealing with fungus. Planting these groundcovers in lawn areas that are susceptible to fungal infestation will help keep the infection at bay. It\u2019s the symbiotic-based relationship between grass and flowers that control the fungus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Follow these steps when planting the groundcovers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 1: Mark the area you want to plant with flour<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve identified which part you want to introduce the groundcover, mark it with flour. Remove the top layer of sod if you want to start planting sooner. Add your layers on top of the grass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 2: Build the layers using a six-sheet newspaper<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Spread the newspaper sheets and saturate them with water. This helps it to stay in place as you spread 3-6 inches of compost. For summer months or periods of long dry spells, add some water to the layers to keep it moist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 4: Edge the bed perimeter<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Edging the flowerbed perimeter using decorative materials like bricks helps keep turf from spreading into it. The bed may take between three and six months to develop. You can plant the flowers in a pot first, then transplant them when the bed is ready. You\u2019ll know it\u2019s ready if the newspaper or turf is gone. Using a gardening trowel to install to dig the soil and sow the seeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Air in the lawn\u2019s soil allows water to move more freely, allowing the flow of nutrients. By aerating your lawn, you\u2019re allowing your lawn to breathe freely, controlling the fungus. If the soil is compacted and you suspect it could be the reason fungus is invading your lawn, use these tips to aerate it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grass fungus spreads quickly, which is why mowing\u00a0is\u00a0a suitable solution to control it. When mowing, pay attention to the infected parts. Remove the grass clippings, fallen leaves, or debris that could be sitting on your lawn. Don\u2019t leave the grass clippings as they still carry live fungi that may spread to the rest of the grass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, mowing (as a fungal control method) the diseased parts is only effective if the infestation is still fresh. Prolonged (more than a month) fungus infestation might need other control measures before mowing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Baking soda (Sodium bicarbonate) is a safe remedy for controlling fungus in your lawn since it is alkaline-based. This helps increase the soil\u2019s pH, reducing fungus ability to keep thriving in the grass. Here\u2019s how to apply it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll need the baking soda, water, and spray bottle<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember not to go overboard with the baking soda-water solution as it can increase the soil pH level, more than expected. Doing so may compromise the soil\u2019s ability to recover should a disease erupt again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Neem oil for fungi control in lawns works best when 2 oz of it is diluted with 1 gallon of water. Spray 2.5 gallons of the neem oil solution per 1,000 sq.\u00a0ft. of lawn. For the best results, apply this solution 3\u00a0to 4 times within an interval between seven and fourteen days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When left uncontrolled, the fungus will spread to the rest of the lawn, destroying the efforts you\u2019ve put to ensuring your lawn stays healthy. Consequently, it won\u2019t disappear or reduce unless you treat it naturally, organically or chemically. Treating your lawn for fungi should start as soon as you notice the unusual signs pointing to an infestation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember, beneficial fungi are a key ingredient your lawn needs for healthy growth. That means fungi will remain in the soil even after successful treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To ensure fungi doesn\u2019t invade your lawn, apply the following preventative measures:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve been waiting until the last minute of the day to water your lawn, the soil will retain the water throughout the night. Harmful fungi tend to grow and multiply quickly in waterlogged soils. It needs moisture to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The only way to ensure the soil absorbs enough water to encourage root growth and encourage photosynthesis is by watering your lawn in the early morning hours. It\u2019s during this period that the sun isn\u2019t extremely scorching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A blunt mower blade doesn\u2019t make sharp cuts on grass. If your lawn already has fungus infestation and you decide to use a mower with blunt blades, grass blades will create an open ground for the fungus to enter. Since mowing is part of the natural fungi control method, it would be best if you used a device with sharper blades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The presence of excessive thatch, a layer of organic matter, in grass signifies soil pH imbalance or lawn care malpractices. Naturally, thatch should be only \u00bd an inch. Too much of it robs the grass of nutrients, sunlight, and water. Upon close examination, you\u2019ll notice they sit between the soil top layer and crown of the grass. As long as microbes aren\u2019t enough to eliminate organic matter, the fungus will attack the lawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The thatches attract weeds, particularly in spring, which is why you should plan your dethatching activity in fall. It works best using a thatching machine or gardening rake to keep them to a minimum. Alternatively, you can apply organic matter to keep them at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The right pH balance for lawn soils should range between 6.2-6.8, but that doesn\u2019t mean they don\u2019t need calcium. Calcium helps the grass to resist diseases (fungi included), absorb other micro-nutrients, and build strong cell walls. If you test your soil for calcium and it indicates a deficiency, apply calcium immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your lawn has one species of grass like St. Augustine, it is a vulnerability for fungal infestation and spread increases. Part of the remedy to controlling them is by mixing grass species. However, ensure the turf species you\u2019ve chosen have similar growing conditions. For example, if you live in a region favoring the Kentucky Bluegrass growing conditions, mix it up with tall fescue or ryegrass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fungi thrive in moist environments and can spread quickly when lawn care malpractices like under\/over-fertilization and overwatering. Once you\u2019ve successfully eliminated them, apply these two fungi preventative tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow to get rid of lawn fungus naturally<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. <\/strong>Naturalize the infected parts with groundcovers<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. <\/strong>Aerate your yard annually<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. <\/strong>Mow<\/strong> <\/strong>the diseased parts<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. <\/strong>Increase the soil\u2019s pH using weak baking soda<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Apply <\/strong>neem oil<\/strong> to kill the fungus<\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Can grass fungus go away on its own?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Prevention<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Water your lawn early in the morning hours<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Use the sharpest mower blade to mow your lawn<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Dethatch <\/strong>the lawn when there\u2019s need<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Apply calcium<\/strong> to lower pH<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mix the grass species<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Apply the right lawn care practices<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n