Every summer in Sydney, Australia, countless lawns are damaged by lawn diseases caused by lawn insect pests, fungus, mosses, algae and granular rust. These are often fungal in origin and the damage can include the entire leaf of the plant or an entire growing season of grass. Sometimes the damage occurs in one area but as the weather warms the damage will move to another part of the plant.
fret not too much if you have not been diagnosed with orchid rust or bare leg rust as these diseases are fairly curable, however it is much more serious for a lawn that has been attacked by the root cause of the problem namely – insufficient moisture caused by inadequate rain fall.
You can check if your lawn has disease by taking a soil sample to your local allotment oracco/fruit/meadow. The samples you send will be tested for free or a nominal charge. If you provide the sample free, your local allotment or obstructions/watertenance will test for free. In these times of congestion in allotments, having a free tester kit is worth the expense as you will be able to tell exactly what the problem is and what remedial action is needed.
Fungal diseases
Fungal diseases rarely affect as much asDogwood Canker, a fungal disease that affects the tree as a whole acting through the fungi which attack the needles as well as the roots. The symptoms include splitting of the needles due to galls that are produced on the underside of the needles, browning and drying of the needle tips, decay and lichen growth on the exposed needle tips.
There is no cure for Dogwood Canker, other than total destruction of the trees that are under attack. The only effect is to reduce the number of flowers on the tree so the following year there will be fewer and fewer to replace them.
If you need a tree for your garden, always check for signs of disease before planting.
The next lawn care tips are:-
1. speedy removal of any dead or weak branches
2. pruning dead or damaged branches
3. providing a space for the new and young shoots to grow
4. providing protection for any new saplings growing in the area
5. if necessary, thinning the growth to maintain a compact canopy of growth
6. spraying fungicides as an anti-fungal measure (antifungal treatment only)
The next lawn care tips for hard ground, dry shady areas are:
1. deterring gnats
2. removing any dead or diseased branches
3. providing a large litter of fallen leaves to a Gold Coast rainbank
4. if you are harsharse, collecting and composting the leaves
5. leaf mulching for added organic matter to the soil
6. weed prevention with preventative bark cracks and covers
The following lawn care tips are for the balmy Mediterranean climate of Sydney, Australia. If the region is far from mild, adjust the lawn care tips to suit your climate and soil conditions.
1. Remove all dead and diseased branches.
2. Sow annual fool, (and ripen) flag and strawberry seeds in partial sun in September.
3. Sow a measure of self-watering potting mix for the Kalanchoe.
4. For mulching, use the same as for the fruit trees.
5. akeroot with tomato soup and a measure of sheep manure (umbled) in the hole before planting.
6. fork or rake in the general purpose fertiliser such as 16-8-8 with trace elements.
The next lawn care tips are:
1. Remember to water in the dry cooler months.
2. Mulch in the growing season.
3. Useidated or faded lawns may be recycled by the club as general maintenance in the warmer months.
4. Fertilise in the warm season.
The next lawn care tips are:
1. Remember to apply the recommended insecticide when treating aphids.
2. Be sure to irrigate in the dry cooler months.
3. It is OK to rake out weeds after mowing.
4. Remove the turf in the months before mowing.
The next lawn care tips are:
1. Remember to rake in the dormant weeds in the autumn.
2. It is OK to apply worm killer in the dry cooler months
3. Reduce the use of pesticides once all the life in the weeds has died.
4. Use the same procedure as for couch grass and treat immediately.
