Three Lawn Culprits

Algae, moss and fungi are unattractive organisms that can cause damage to your lawn. To eliminate these problems from your lawn, you must be able to identify the organisms, understand what factors contribute to their development and take the appropriate steps to remove them. This article will explore each issue separately and focus on preventing future occurrences

Algae: A Slimy Addition to Your Lawn

While most people think of algae as associated with aquatic environments, algae can also accumulate on soil. Algae takes the form of a green scum on bare soil, drying into a black crust. Here are some contributing factors that lead to algae:

• Wet, compacted soils that have often been overfertilized
• Low areas of the lawn or areas with heavy shade

Eliminating algae is not as difficult as one may think. Apply copper sulfate or sodium hypochlorite to kill algae, using a 1 to 2 percent solution for best results (for a 1 percent solution, mix one part copper sulfate or sodium hypochlorite with 99 parts water). Both copper sulfate and sodium hypochlorite can be found at your local home and garden store. Diluted bleach may also be used; however, be sure to use one gallon of water per one ounce of bleach. If not diluted correctly, the bleach will burn and kill the grass.

When removing algae from your lawn, do not forget that proper preventative measures must be taken to keep these organisms from returning. Since low and shady areas can encourage algae growth, prune any trees in the area to increase ventilation and allow more sunlight to shine through to the grass. Also, try aerating the soil if it is compacted or wet. Another solution is to water the lawn less, as too much water can cause organisms to grow. Finally, consider planting shade-tolerant grass that, when properly managed, can survive without a lot of sunlight.

Moss: Weaving an Undesirable Web

Moss, a tangled green mat, or layer, over the grass surface, can develop during any time of year because it is not season specific. It usually flourishes in areas that are relatively infertile; therefore, the lawn must be maintained throughout the year to prevent moss infestation. Here are some factors that contribute to moss:

• Thin or bare grass, resulting from a lack of nutrition and water
• Shaded and densely compacted areas

To remove existing moss in your yard, apply ammonium sulfate over the affected area of your lawn. This will kill or weaken the moss temporarily, but further action must be taken to prevent its return. Altering the environment by reducing the shade and watering properly will promote grass growth, which inhibits moss production. Another tactic used to fight moss involves aerating the soil to alleviate added stress caused by compaction. If the moss continues to grow, consider planting a different species of grass that will thrive in shaded areas.

Fungi: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Fungi cannot produce their own food, so they must feed off of other plants, living or dead. There are many different fungal species, each flourishing under a specific set of environmental conditions. Here are some conditions that promote fungi growth:

• Extreme environmental conditions such as hot and humid weather
• An over or under-fertilized lawn
• An improperly mowed lawn

In most cases, fungi live in the grass without any problems. However, when environmental conditions become extreme, fungal populations can soar and begin to adversely affect grass. Changing the environment can alleviate fungi's ability to flourish, therefore damaging the lawn. Keep grass healthy by properly mowing, fertilizing and irrigating, so that in bad environmental conditions, fungi will not dominate the lawn.

Keeping The Lawn Culprit-Free

Keeping your lawn culprit-free means performing preventative measures one to two times a week. Changing simple lawn care practices will alleviate many of the environmental conditions contributing to the stress on your lawn. Here are a few tips for lawn maintenance that will keep unwanted organisms at bay:

• Mow frequently and maintain a sharp mower blade
• Sustain appropriate lawn moisture levels
• Use preventative fungicides sparingly
• Trim trees and bushes to increase ventilation and ensure that grass gets adequate sunlight
• Fertilize moderately on a regular, consistent basis to match growing seasons.

Algae, moss and fungi can appear in your lawn and cause damage. Many, if not all, appear under strained conditions. The best defense to fighting these culprits is to maintain your lawn properly and regularly. By following the suggestions above, you can keep your lawn free of these culprits.