Identifying Frequent Garden Insects Effectively

McCain: Ophiosphaerella korrae: bermudagrass, Seaside paspalum, zoysiagrass: circular locations of dead lawn 612 inches in size appear in spring when development resumes; areas may coalesce to form large areas; normally impacts turfgrass more than 2 years old: affects inactive plants; most serious when soil temperature levels are < 65F; makes it through as sclerotia and in infected roots and stolons: remove dead lawn; fertilize in summer season to preserve vigor; don't overfertilize in late summer; water appropriate length of time: fungicides readily available however primarily prevented by cultural practices in California Summer spot in turfgrass, triggered by Magnaporthe poae.

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Nelson: Magnaporthe poae: bluegrasses, fine fescues: circular, yellow or tan locations of dead and dying plants approximately 1 foot in diameter; can have green, apparently healthy plants in center; roots, crowns, and stolons have dark brown fungal hyphae on them; vascular staining and cortical rot take place in later phases: heats (> 85) in late spring through the summertime; most extreme when grass is mowed low or when soil moisture is extreme: aerate soil and apply slow-release nitrogen; enhance drainage; reduce compaction; water proper length of time; do not mow too low; control thatch; reduce soil pH if greater than 7: systemic fungicides in fall usually needed when illness has been serious For presently registered fungicides, see Insect Management Guidelines: Turfgrass.

There is nobody perfect turfgrass ideal for all yards. The type of lawn you pick for your lawn must work with your climate, anticipated use and upkeep level, and visual desires; it also must have some resistance to common diseases. Cool-season turfs (e.g., bluegrasses, fescues, ryegrasses, etc) carry out finest at daytime temperature levels between 70 to 85F.

Often, illness most impact turfs when they aren't strongly growing. Cool-season lawn is more vulnerable to illness infestations throughout the summertime, while warm-season turfs are more prone to diseases in late fall through early spring.

New and improved cultivars of lawn turfs using greater illness resistance, color, texture, density, and uniformity have actually been established the past a number of years. Contact a respectable nursery or the UC Cooperative Extension office in your county for particular suggestions.

Emerging Lawn Diseases to Watch for in 2026

Much of California has a Mediterranean environment identified by rains in winter season and spring and really little rain during summertime and fall. Throughout the state, lawns require irrigation.

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Applying too much or not enough water can lead to unhealthy, slow-growing turf that is vulnerable to pathogens. Waterlogged soils are poorly aerated, which limits root growth, promotes some illness, and permits algae and moss to flourish. In basic, a deeply watered yard develops a deeper and more substantial vertical root system, which offers it with higher dry spell and illness resistance than a shallowly watered lawn.

Warm-season turfgrasses are more drought-resistant than cool-season grasses and need about 20% less water. It is best to water the lawn thoroughly at longer periods, till overflow just begins, rather than watering a little every day.

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Is Your Lawn Turning Brown? Identify Diseases Today

For instance, if a lawn needs 40 minutes of watering weekly however runoff begins after 20 minutes, water twice a week for 20 minutes. In cases where soil uses up water so slowly that overflow occurs before 10 minutes, water biking is required. To cycle, irrigate until overflow simply begins, turn the system off, and repeat the process in 30 minutes before the soil surface dries out.

To identify sprinkler output, conduct "catch can tests" by setting small, empty, straight-sided, equal-sized containers such as tuna or feline food cans on top of your yard every 10 to 15 feet in between sprinkler heads operated by the very same valve (Fig. 2) and run the system for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, turn off the system and determine the amount of water in each can with a ruler to determine the average quantity of water per can.