At first, all you may notice is a little tinge of red in your lawn. You may think it’s just the way the light from the sun is hitting it. But on closer inspection, you notice that something is not right…That something could be red thread disease. So, how do you know if red thread is threatening your lawn? Let’s find out.
Making the Diagnosis
Red thread is commonly confused with a disease called pink patch. It also has a similar appearance to pink snow mold and dollar spot, and all of these diseases can appear at the same time of year. However, red thread is easily identified by red, thread-like strands. Often found in pink to red patches from 4″ to 2 ft. in diameter. As the fungus grows, smaller spots may turn into larger ones as they connect together to form larger irregularly-shaped areas.
This disease typically appears in our area between late April and mid-June, about the time that the benefits of fall-applied nitrogen fertilizer run out. But it can possibly be found during most of the growing season.
The best time to look for red thread is in the early morning when there’s still dew on the blades. As the red thread disease continues to progress, you may also see a pink, gelatinous growth on top of grass blades.
A Lawn Prescription
Red thread is caused by the fungus Laetisaria Fuciformis. Undernourished lawns are more susceptible, as are lawns composed of these grass species: Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue.
One of the causes of red thread, and a contributor to its severity is poor, under-nourished turf, so your first line of defense is to give your grass regular care.
Simple things like:
- Feeding your lawn regularly
- Watering properly
- Mowing routinely
- Aerating and dethatching as needed.
With the right care, you’ll make it harder for red thread to move in and affect your lawn.
Good’s Tree & Lawn Care is committed to using the best quality products and personnel to provide a green and healthy lawn. Our cultural practices are a large part of keeping your lawn green and healthy. These cultural practices include but are not limited to proper mowing height and frequency, limiting excessive traffic during summer stress and freezing temperatures, proper irrigation and simply monitoring for any problems. Following proper practices can help protect your lawn from red thread and other diseases for seasons to come.