Fungus is a sneaky enemy when it comes to grass. One day, everything looks fine, but the next morning, the lawn shows signs of disease, such as brown patches or a wispy white coating. Often, grass fungal diseases are the result of improper care, which renders lawns weak and vulnerable.
Although watering is necessary for a healthy lawn, it can also contribute to fungus if not done properly. Hosing down the lawn at night allows water to sit for hours, with no sun to help the excess evaporate. This creates the moist conditions fungal diseases require, providing it with time to grow and spread. To prevent this, lawns should be watered in the morning, when the light of day will burn off that which isn't fully absorbed, keeping grass fungi-free.
Improper mowing weakens grass, leaving it unable to defend itself against tenacious fungi. If grass is cut too short and fungus sets in, it will be more severe than it would on otherwise healthy grass of the proper length, according to Clemson University. To know how short your lawn should be cut, the exact grass type should be determined and researched. Generally, no more than one-third of the grass length should be removed in a single mowing.
Grass loves nitrogen and needs regular doses of this element, in addition to potassium, phosphorus and iron. However, too much nitrogen, particularly in the form of a quick release, soluble fertilizer, causes excessive succulent growth. This growth is easily preyed upon by fungus, leading to disease. To avoid this, the University of California Davis recommends only fertilizing during the growing season with a yearly limit of 4 to 6 pounds of fertilizer for every 1,000 square feet of lawn.
Compacted soil limits the growth of grass roots and makes it harder for lawns to recover from damage, increasing their susceptibility to fungal disease. Aerating the lawn, whether by machine or with a gardening fork, helps roots grow deep and strong, keeping grass in fighting form. A well-aerated lawn is also better able to absorb water, keeping it from turning soil soggy and fungus-friendly. Aeration improves the overall health of lawns by improving the ability of grass to absorb nutrients.
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