How to Cure Yard Fungi
There are a wide variety of fungi that affect lawns. Some of them are visible, such as mushrooms. Other types are not actually visible but the damage to the lawn is, such as yellowing areas or slimy patches, called grease spots. Curing the yard of these fungi requires that you change your care habits to improve the soil environment. It also requires the use of chemical that will kill the existing spores in the soil. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Press down on the surface of the soil near where the fungus is growing to see if water pools up. If so, the soil has been over watered. Cease watering until the top 1 inch of the soil is completely dry, which you can test by digging a screwdriver down into it.
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Change the time of day that you water the yard. Watering must only occur in the morning hours to allow the moisture to evaporate fully from the grass blades before nightfall. Watering near dusk leaves moisture on the blades, which has all night to grow fungal spores.
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Identify the type of fungus you have by taking a picture of it and sending the picture to your local extension agency office for identification. Once you identify the fungus, purchase a fungicide for that specific infection at a local home improvement store.
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Apply the fungicide to the affected areas of the lawn using the directions and amounts on the packaging. Some fungicides are powders that you sprinkle onto the infected lawn areas. Other fungicides are liquids which are to be diluted with water before being applied.
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Tips & Warnings
Slime mold and fairy rings cannot be cured once they develop in the lawn.
Only apply fungicides that are labeled for use on lawns. Do not apply fungicide for ornamental trees and shrubs to the lawn.
Do not apply the fungicide more than specified on the package, since the fungus will develop a resistance to it.
References
Resources
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