Lawn Root Rot

Serving all of SE Louisiana – The New Orleans Area

Root rot can affect any kind of lawn, and strike at almost any time. Root rot doesn’t always look like fungus, and it can be hard to figure out what exactly is killing your lawn. There are some early warning signs, but identification can remain difficult.

If you take pride in your lawn, the last thing you want to see is root rot destroying all your hard work! It can be devastating watching your fresh green grass disintegrate and die, especially if you were unable to spot the early warning signs. We can help you to understand the symptoms and effects of fungus so that you can take preventative action in order to keep your lawn in good shape throughout the seasons.

Understanding Lawn Root Rot

Root rot is the common term for a range of fungal problems your grass can develop. Fungus attacks the root of the grass, and once the fungus has taken hold, the results can be seen in the entire body of the grass itself. Unfortunately, by the time the signs are obvious, the fungus has already spread and is likely to kill off your entire lawn. One of the most common and devastating fungus types is Gaeumannomyces graminis. It can remain undetected for quite a while, which is why it often takes so long to diagnose. It dismantles and kills the grass very effectively, creating an unhealthy and unsightly lawn.

Signs of Lawn Root Rot

Symptoms of root rot can take a long time to emerge because the rot affects the root first. It is possible, however, to learn how to identify root rot before it kills your entire lawn. A common sign of this issue is yellow grass blades. However, yellow grass can mean a number of things. To ensure that its root rot you’re dealing with, pull on the leaves of the grass you think are affected. These should stay attached. When you dig down to the root, you will notice that the roots have become a brown color, and have formed a ‘hair like’ consistency. In advanced cases of this fungus, you will also notice a hair-like structure around the top junction of the stem.

Controlling Root Rot

Taking proper care of your lawn is the first step in making sure that root rot doesn’t emerge. Here are the steps you can take:

• Regular mowing is essential, and it’s important to do this to the right height for your grass type.
• Proper amounts of water are also critical.
• If you use fertilizer sprays, it’s important you don’t overdo it as this can lead to a root rot problem.

If you do identify root rot in your garden, you need to reassess your lawn care methods and adjust them. Fungicides can be applied to the area, but if the problem has reached the point of no return, then replacing the entire lawn may be the only option. It is better to deal with this issue in the colder months in order to retain more moisture, increasing your chances of saving the lawn. As with all fungus populations, grass root rot will eventually stop spreading on its own accord and burn itself out. But if you wait for it to do that, it’s likely you’ll lose your entire lawn.

Call Presto-X, formerly Fischer Environmental for Professional Treatment

If you suspect you have a grass root rot problem, or just need general lawn care help, contact us today. We will respond within 4 hours after receiving your call, and send out one of our qualified specialists to help you as quickly and efficiently as possible. Root rot and other fungus do not need to ruin your lawn. There are methods you can incorporate into your daily gardening routine to ensure you maintain a healthy, happy, fresh looking lawn all year round. Call Presto-X, formerly Fischer Environmental–we’ll keep your lawn looking green for years to come!

<< Back To Lawn Care