I have brown areas all over the lawn, below the green. When I mow it, the brown really shows up. I'm told it is a fungus called Red Thread. The brown is actually a pinkish red fungus. Anyone know much about it? Web search comes up with recommendation against using fungicide on residential lawns..... I see it on many lawns in the area.....

NF, this weather has been perfect for fungus growth. You probably have more
then just red thread and the fungicides by Scotts and Bayer will handle most of them.
Bayer is a heavier weight and easier to spread.

Problem is the fungicides are systemic and not only absorbed by the plants but also through the skin by contact.
I hate using the stuff and only use it when it looks like i'll loose a whole lawn.
If you have kids i personally wouldn't treat.

If we get some dry sunny weather it will help, meantime stay away from
the N fertilizers and water early in the morning ,only when really needed so
it drys out before evening.
Hope it helps.

http://www.serenadegarden.com/

and root growth.... the key to a healthy lawn

i can hardly keep up with the lawn.... this year

with it raining constantly....

but i have noticed that many home owners mow it
real short like it's a putting green at a golf course.

i try to keep it at around 3 inches and have no fungus.

in springtime:

i let it grow to six inches before i cut it back to four.
this shades out the weeds completely

then it's just a maintenance cut of one inch...

the longer the blade of grass you have the more
photosynthesis each grass plant can maintain.

Thanks PNG, checked it out and sounds good.

Good advice Rav, one other thing that helps is a sharp
mower blade so the blade cuts clean and doesn't shred the tops.

Good advice Rav, one other thing that helps is a sharp
mower blade so the blade cuts clean and doesn't shred the tops.

excellent point JPI because remember in the olden days
long before we had motorized lawn mowers there was only
REEL mowers (vanstals perhaps :btu:) anyway.... those type
mowers cut just like a pair of scissors do... giving you a perfect clean cut edge... but now adays home owners drive that blade
thru anything and soon the edge is round and even at 3000 r.p.m.'s it barely cuts each blade of grass. It only takes 5 to 10 minutes to sharpen a blade but its the last thing people do when it should be the first thing you do.

it makes the job sooo much easier!!

I have this fungus on the lawn again.... maybe something to do with the weather.....

Ross, generally an application of regularly scheduled fertilizer will take care of it. If you want a fungicide will definately do it. Apply # 2, its almost time and it will do away.

http://www.scotts.com/smg/products/Scotts/fungus_control/image/2009_Scotts_Lawn_Fungus_standard.jpg

http://www.scotts.com/smg/products/Scotts/fungus_control/image/2009_Scotts_Lawn_Fungus_standard.jpg

:spam::spam::spam:

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:rotflmao: Sorry Karl just couldn't resist. :D

It is an excellent product though. :hihi: