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Winter Lawncare

TruGreen’s lawn care expert Steve Welch is advising garden owners to be prepared to protect their lawns this winter against a repeat of last year’s blight of snow mould.

As snow mould or fusarium, to use its correct term, occurs under a blanket of snow it is often not until the snow has melted and winter is over that you may know if you have been affected or not. The disease manifests itself as a white or pink patch where the lawn has literally gone mouldy. Prevention is better than cure with this particular lawn disease and luckily there are several factors that can make it easier to predict the likelihood of incidence.

• Shade and high moisture, accompanied by cool temperatures.
• Inadequate circulation of air above the lawn.
• Rapid, forced and weak growth of grass in autumn.
• Alkaline soil pH, between 7 and 14.
• Weak turf, perhaps due to wear or irregular mowing.
• Blunt mower blades causing a poor cut.
• Compacted soil and poor drainage.

If you feel your lawn may be susceptible to any of these conditions, then an outbreak can be reduced by a number of means, including the following:

• Regular aeration and scarification.
• Regular mowing.
• Alternating the direction of the cut helps the grass to stand upright and will help air move between the plants.
• Lowering nitrogen applications at the end of the summer / early autumn period.
• The most enthusiastic gardeners can play a role by removing dew with a rake in the mornings. 

If the worst comes to the worst and you find that you have been affected, encourage recovery by raking the infected area to encourage air circulation. If your lawn is beyond repair you may need to re-seed the area and ensure you follow the recommended practices. 

Most lawn diseases can be prevented by good cultural practices alongside an integrated disease management plan. A professional fungicide may have to be applied to control the most damaging lawn diseases. As these products are not available in DIY stores you may need to consult your local TruGreen lawn care technician for an accurate diagnosis and the appropriate lawn treatment. Call 0800 021 3074 or find your local for further information.