Around this time of year, we start to get calls from homeowners who have found a strange powdery substance on their lawns. This almost always turns out to be rust disease. Rust can turn a formerly lush, healthy, green lawn into a weak, yellowish-orange mess. If you’ve noticed a powdery substance on your shoes, pets, or lawn mower, then your lawn may be infected.
Unattractive? Yes. Harmful? Potentially. If left untreated, rust can severely weaken a lawn and leave it more vulnerable to insect, disease and weed damage.
Why Does Rust Occur?
- High humidity
- Low light intensity
- Nitrogen deficiency
- Prolonged lawn wetness
- Overcast weather
- Seasonal transitions
- Heavy shade
Prevention & Control
- Boost nitrogen levels in your lawn through professional fertilization
- Schedule a core aeration service to help improve the flow of moisture through the soil
- Increase mowing height and frequency
- Overseed severely infected/thinned out areas
- Prune shrubbery and trees to decrease shade levels
- Water in the early morning to reduce periods of leaf wetness
Rust on a blade of grass
Your best bet is to talk to your local Weed Man about any changes you’ve seen in your lawn’s appearance. Rust shouldn’t come between you and the green lawn you’ve worked so hard to maintain!
Until next time,
Chris
Visit www.weedmanusa.com for more information.
On the Lawn with Weed Man 