Unlike the rust you get on tools you leave out in the rain, lawn rust is not caused by a chemical reaction, but rather, by a fungus.

Type: Fungus

Appearance: Lawn rust appears as irregular, rust-colored patches in your lawn as well as individual yellowish specks on grass blades. After the disease progresses, grass blades rupture and yellow-orange spores spread on everything—including your shoes!

Risk: Perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and zoysiagrass are at greatest risk for getting lawn rust.

Timing: This fungus appears from spring to fall when the temperature is between 68 and 86 degrees. It prefers wet weather but can also be present after dry, hot periods followed by humidity.

Outlook: If left untreated, lawn rust can cause thinning turf and die-back of grass blades.

How to Control Lawn Rust

Prevention

Stressed, unhealthy turf is most susceptible to lawn rust, so taking care of your lawn is key to keeping it at bay. Add these to your lawn to-do list:

• Water Well: Your grass needs adequate water to thrive. It prefers long soakings about two to three times weekly instead of daily watering, depending on the rain levels from the week.
• Reseed patchy spots: Grass roots go deep into the ground and take up a lot of space, taking away the valuable real estate weeds need to thrive.
• Aerate Your Soil: Soil compaction keeps air and water from reaching the deeper levels of soil where grass roots grow, so only plants that grow nearer to the surface, like weeds, can thrive.
• Check Your Lawn’s pH Level: If your soil’s pH level isn’t neutral (about 7.0), your grass doesn’t have the right environment to thrive, but weeds might. To balance the pH level, your soil may also need applications of lime.

Treatment

You should first check to see if your lawn is healthy. Make sure it is well fed and sufficiently watered. If you don’t see any improvement within two weeks, a lawn fungicide may be necessary.

Shades of Green Lawn & Landscape knows just what your lawn needs. We used science-based practices to ensure your yard is as healthy as can be and can fend off lawn rust troubles. Our lawn care packages offer all-around care for your yard. Call us today at 765-771-9998 for a free quote and more information.

Need Help with Lawn Rust?

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