It can spread quickly causing unsightly patches
As the summer continues to be a Great British washout, garden lovers are advised to stay vigilant against a fungal disease that could cause serious damage to their lawns during wet weather.
Particularly virulent, the Laetisaria fuciformis fungus, more commonly known as Red Thread, is one of the most common ailments for grass, especially when it is deficient in nitrogen. Red Thread thrives when lawns are wet and with the UK set for the dampest summer in a century, such conditions could be the perfect breeding ground the fungus to spread.
Chris McIlroy, an expert from The Grass People said: “The disease doesn’t kill the grass completely, but it does leave unattractive yellow and brown patches. Red thread can develop throughout the year, but it is most common in summer and autumn – particularly when there has been a lot of rain, which is forecast to be the case this year.”
READ MORE: Gardeners are being urged to stop throwing away their grass cuttings in July
Chris confirms that while the ailment is unsightly, it isn’t fatal for lawns and green spaces. He said: “Thankfully, the treatment of the disease is relatively simple and your grass should recover completely, leaving you with a lush and healthy lawn.”
How to spot Red Thread
Grass is more likely to recover from fungal patches when it is caught early. The first signs are a reddish tinge to the grass, which becomes brown and then takes on a bleached-out appearance.
Expert Chris said: “You will notice needles forming that are a pink-red colour. This fungus threads its way through your grass and will eventually take over.
“Patches can vary in size but are most commonly found to be between 7cm to 25cm in diameter. Rainfall followed by warmer weather is the ideal condition for Red Thread to thrive, with the humidity helping it to grow and spread. If you think you have Red Thread patches on your lawn it is important to treat the areas with nitrogen as soon as possible.”
He added: “For lawns that aren’t fed lack nitrogen, this encourages the fungus to take over. The best approach is to feed your lawn a nitrogen-rich fertiliser to cure your Red Thread problem and prevent it in future.
“Either granular or liquid feed is ideal for the job and will get to work on your turf fast – making it green and Red Thread-free.”
Other methods can also help to keep your lawns looking lush and free from fungus.
Chris said: “Improving the drainage of your lawn is also a good idea, as this will decrease the amount of moisture in it, while scarifying and aerating the turf will also help ward off the threat.
“One thing to be aware of, especially during a period of heavy rainfall, is that the nitrogen might be washed away if there is a downpour soon after treatment, so it is vital to keep an eye on conditions.”
Find out more about how The Grass People can help you combat Red Thread, here.
