Fall is almost here. The return of cooler temperatures and shorter days means your grass has reason to worry. Red Thread – a grass disease that can devastate Kentucky Bluegrass, perennial Ryegrass, and Tall Fescue. These grasses are very common in Massachusetts yards.
What Does Red Thread Look Like?
From a distance, Red Thread looks like circular patches of tan or pink grass that range from half a foot in diameter to nearly two feet across. Up close, it’s possible to actually see the fungal growth that gives Red Thread its name.These red antler-shaped growths appear at the very tips of the grass.
Is Red Thread Dangerous for Children or Animals?
You don’t have to worry about Red Thread hurting your kids or pets. Although the fungal growth is unsightly, Red Thread is not harmful. When warmer, dryer temperatures return, Red Thread may even go away on its own. In this part of Massachusetts, those type of conditions generally happen after the spring rains dry up in June.
What Should I Do If I Want Red Thread Out of My Lawn?
In a lot of ways, grass is like people. When we have a poor diet and don’t get enough nutrition, we wind up getting sick. Same thing applies to your lawn. Red Thread appears almost exclusively in lawns that don’t have enough nitrogen.
Nitrogen is a mineral that promotes healthy grass growth by encouraging chlorophyll production within the grass. Chlorophyll is the compound that allows photosynthesis to happen. Photosynthesis is the process of turning sunlight into healthy plant growth.
The best way to ensure your lawn maintains adequate nitrogen levels is by having your local lawn service fertilize the lawn regularly. Fertilizer is nutrition for your lawn. It contains nitrogen as well as many other minerals and nutrients your grass needs to thrive.
