Thatch isn’t an infestation or infection, but a tightly interwoven layer of plant materials that can develop between green turf and the soil. It holds water but dries quickly, like a sponge, and it has basically no nutritional value for your grass. Lawn aeration is most effective as a preventive measure, ventilating the soil before thatch builds up.

Brown patch strikes all the common turfgrasses. The fungus causes spots on leaf blades that can eventually turn whole leaves brown, and creates large circular patches of blighted turf. Hot, humid conditions make it worse. Proper watering in midday to prevent wet grass at night as well as proper mowing on a frequent basis to promote air movement and drying of the leaf blades can help prevent this lawn disease. Brown patch activity and damage can be accelerated by unbalanced or over-fertilization; a Healthy Lawn Analysis can help determine if your lawn has the right amount of fertilization.

At its worst during drought and heat stress, summer patch loves to attack Kentucky bluegrasses (as well as some ryes and fescues). It’s one of the more difficult lawn diseases to control. Yards that are under stress from heavy foot or pet traffic will tend to have a higher occurrence of the disease. Avoiding unnecessary stress to the turf and reducing foot and pet traffic can help lessen the symptoms. Relying on a lawn expert to provide recommendations is the best option for effective prevention.

Dollar spot is named by its characteristic of small tan patches, about the size of a silver dollar, that form in the early stages of the disease and grow outward. Most common when humidity is high but rainfall has been low, this fungus is at its worst when leaves are wet but the soil is dry.  Implementing the right watering and mowing schedule can help to control this lawn disease. Also, since dollar spot often occurs on thatched, drought-stressed lawns, a lawn aeration service can help control thatch and improve moisture penetration. 

Difficult-to-control weeds can cause lasting damage to lawn health. Most of the toughest weeds are perennials that can regrow even after intensive treatments. Maintaining vigorous turf that can out-compete weeds is the best method for control. A TruGreen lawn expert can recommend a customized plan designed specifically for your grasses and soils.

Preventing lawn disease is always more cost-effective and healthy for your turf than having to treat and cure a problem once it starts. With a Healthy Lawn Analysis, a TruGreen PhD-certified specialist will evaluate your lawn to determine what your turf needs and what lawn diseases pose the greatest threat. They can then recommend the best methods for prevention to keep your lawn looking healthy.

At TruGreen, the emphasis is on keeping your lawn healthy and preventing problems from starting in the first place.  A TruGreen PhD-certified specialist will design a tailored approach to give your lawn exactly what it needs at exactly the right time. All work is backed by the TruGreen Healthy Lawn Guarantee®, meaning they’ll gladly visit your property as often as needed to ensure your satisfaction.

Call 866.688.6722 or visit TruGreen.com today to start protecting your lawn from various lawn diseases and to learn more about the benefits of an expert lawn care service from TruGreen.