Many customers and the team are reporting that lawns have been affected by a summer/autumn lawn disease called “Red Thread”, this is nationwide and not exclusive to your lawn.
It is often seen on lawns in the UK from mid summer and has prospered in the recent weather.
With the removal of professional curative products to control Red Thread, we recommend a more holistic approach of reducing stress on the grass plant by improving soil structure and natural soil biology for root health.
Our “Soil Enrichment” treatments include two applications of both Soil Improver and Biology Booster treatments during the year. These will improve your soil condition and root health, assisting the lawns recovery from stress like drought and fungal attack, its an ideal time to apply start these treatments, contact us for more information.
Why Soil health?
All of our UK and USA research has talked about the importance of building soil health, to create the right environment for soil and root health, in turn this helps the plant recover from stress created by Red Thread and drought.
A customer commented recently “The humid weather this year has been as bad as it was two years ago but the patches of red thread are nowhere near as bad as they have been previously so my view is that the treatment programme is having a benefit.”
Mr Grey, West Bridgford.
If you would like more details about Soil Enrichment and a special offer contact us.
Red Thread FAQ’s?
What does it look like?
It typically looks like these brown patches
At its peak it can look like this
What lawns are affected?
It is often seen on fine fescue lawns, but can develop on all lawn types. It is a fairly minor disease that in most cases does relatively little damage, but can spoil a well-kept lawns appearance. It is spread by spores within the air.
What treatments can be used?
An application of fertiliser is often sufficient to promote lawn growth, as the disease does not kill the grass plant crown. Affected grasses are then be removed by cutting, however, building soil health and over seeding with more resistant grass species is the latest and professional practice.
Do you have any chemical treatments available?
As a business, we stopped promoting fungicide treatments for Red Thread a number of years ago. Our reasons included treatment cost, the short longevity of the treatment gave approx. three weeks max protection and with changing weather pattens its difficult to forecast when the right time to apply is. Finally, no chemical treatment gives a guarantee that if weather conditions are favourable you won’t be hit again.
What can I do to help the lawn?
- Soil Enrichment to help root health and reduce stress.
- Over seed with more resistant seed varieties. We recommend Green Velvet All Rounder.
- Annual application of our 100% natural soil enrichment treatments.
- Aerate and scarify to reduce thatch and improve drainage.
Can I treat it myself?
A product called Bayer Lawn Disease control is currently available.
Notes: Use as directed and always read and follow the manufactures instructions before use.
Please remember that, similar to taking antibiotics, after you have applied a fungicide, it doesn’t guarantee you never get the symptoms again.