If April showers bring May flowers, it seems May (and now June) showers bring an abundance of red thread. Now a word from Brian, our lawn care manager:
You may have noticed small, round areas throughout the turf which have a bit of a pinkish-red color or even a prominent pink coloration. They may have even joined up to form larger patches. Due to this season’s weather, RED THREAD and other diseases are a severe issue. I have not seen red thread this bad in several years. Patience will be required until we get some warmer temperatures and drier conditions to help clear up the red thread issues. This is typically just an aesthetic issue and does not effect the crown or root system of the turf.
This is a common late spring/early summer disease which usually does little to no harm to the turf. With the recent rainfall, humidity and temperatures, red thread is quickly becoming more of an issue than normal. Red thread will normally infect bluegrass, fine fescue and ryegrass every spring to varied degrees. The turf type tall fescue grasses are much more resistant to this issue.
So what can you do about it…..
DO NOT water in the evening. This can increase the severity of any disease. Fungicide applications can be applied but more than one treatment is usually needed, especially when the weather conditions are conducive. Raking out the affected area will help to open airflow and speed recovery. The weather, however, will be the main factor in the severity of the disease. Red thread will usually clear up with the passage of time.
Fall aeration and seeding with the turf type tall fescue for a few seasons can make a big difference. This grass type is much more disease and insect resistant than the bluegrasses.
As always, please give us a call here in the office if you have any questions and hopefully, we get some warm sunny weather soon!!!!
