{"id":1296,"date":"2021-08-06T18:35:24","date_gmt":"2021-08-06T18:35:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawndoctor.com\/hudsonville-mi\/?p=1296"},"modified":"2021-08-06T18:35:37","modified_gmt":"2021-08-06T18:35:37","slug":"rust-alert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawndoctor.com\/hudsonville-mi\/rust-alert\/","title":{"rendered":"RUST ALERT!!"},"content":{"rendered":"

RUST ALERT!!<\/strong><\/p>\n

RUST FUNGAL DISEASE:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Our summer weather conditions promote a lot of fungal disease in lawns.<\/p>\n

We are seeing RUST in a large percentage of lawns in our area. Rust is a relatively minor fungal disease, but it is messy with the yellowish-orange spores getting onto shoes and mowers.<\/p>\n

Most heathy lawns should grow through the disease and the best way to help the lawn recover is keep the lawn healthy through good mowing, watering and feeding. We do adapt our fertilization based on conditions to help lawns recover if rust or other disease is present. We generally do NOT recommend fungicide treatments for Rust!<\/p>\n

Here is some information from University of Illinois and Iowa State:<\/p>\n

https:\/\/web.extension.illinois.edu\/turf\/rustlawn.cfm<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/hortnews.extension.iastate.edu\/turf-grass-rust<\/a><\/p>\n

The best way to minimize the fungal disease is to minimize the stress on the lawn, as we discussed in previous emails.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

HAVE A SPRINKLER SYSTEM??? DON’T MISS THIS!!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It is critical that homeowners with sprinkler systems make sure that the times for their zones are set to water longer and less often\u00a0<\/u><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SUMMER WATERING GUIDELINES:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \u00a0Water in the morning.<\/li>\n
  2. \u00a0Do NOT water at night if you can avoid it.\u00a0This can lead to more fungal disease<\/li>\n
  3. \u00a0Use a water timer if morning is a difficult time to water (ask us if you need suggestions)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Dormancy<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    If you choose not to water, the grass will go dormant. This is a very natural process that helps the lawn protect itself from the heat.\u00a0In dormancy, the grass will turn brown.<\/p>\n

    If you let the lawn go into dormancy, make sure that you:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \u00a0DO NOT MOW\u00a0when the lawn is dormant or drought stressed.<\/li>\n
    2. \u00a0Minimize all traffic\u00a0on the lawn during this time. No jumpy things, no kiddie pools, no slip and slides (in fact most of these things amplify the heat underneath them so it makes the lawn stress even more).<\/li>\n
    3. \u00a0Lawns in dormancy will still need at least 1\/4 to \u00bd inch of water every 2-3 weeks to keep the crown of the plant alive and able to recover when conditions improve.<\/li>\n
    4. \u00a0When a lawn suffers drought, some areas may thin out, which is natural as the plants are all fighting for soil moisture. Typically when the rains return, most areas will recover depending on the severity of the conditions.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

       <\/p>\n

      MOW HIGH!!!!<\/strong><\/h2>\n