Dusty Rusty Grass

What is that rusty yellow-orange hue on the surface of your grass? Take a closer look, but be careful not to step on it. If it gets on your shoes, it will spread to healthy areas of your lawn, and before you know it, your entire lawn could change color. The culprit is Lawn Rust – a lawn fungus that most commonly affects grasses mowed at a taller height.    

Simply Green Lawn Care Plus experts are here to keep your lawn healthy and weed-free. So, if you suspect Lawn Rust is ruining your grass, keep reading to learn more about what it is and how it can be treated and prevented in the future. For further inspection, call Simply Green to schedule a visit from a technician.

What is Lawn Rust?

Lawn Rust is a fungal disease that leaves a powdery orange residue on tall turfgrasses. This  condition affects many species of grass, including Bermudagrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and fescue. In its early stages, it spreads easily, so it’s best to treat it when it becomes visible. In later stages, the disease can cause irreversible damage, so be sure to treat it at the first signs.

What Does Lawn Rust Look Like? 

Lawn Rust starts with small, yellow spots on blades of grass. Over time, as the fungus breaks through the spots, a powdery orange substance appears. The look is similar to seed-plant pollen which can rub off on clothing, shoes, pets’ paws, etc., when walked on. This is the crucial time to treat Lawn Rust because as the disease progresses, the grass blades turn brown, then black, dry out, and die, creating bare spots on the lawn. 

What causes Lawn Rust?

Puccinia spp., is the fungus that causes Lawn Rust. Other types of Georgia grasses most commonly affected are ryegrasses, zoysiagrass and certain types of tall fescue. Lawn Rust spores can survive the winter months and become active in the spring. By mid-summer, when temperatures are warm and wet, it appears when dense thatch takes on a yellowy-orange hue.

How Does Lawn Rust Spread?

Lawn rust can spread quickly and easily, especially during the mid-stage of the disease when the rust-colored powder appears. The loose spores can be carried by the wind, people, pets, lawn equipment and even rain runoff. Homeowners should avoid mowing or walking on a lawn infested with lawn rust to avoid spreading it to grassy areas that are healthy.

Can Lawn Rust be Prevented?

Lawn Rust can infect your grass through no fault of your own. Spores simply could have been carried by the wind to invade your turf. There are measures Georgia homeowners can take, however, that can resist the fungus from settling in. Here are some tips to make sure your lawn is healthy and well-maintained. 

• Keep the correct mowing height according to what kind of grass you have. 
• Cut grass regularly so it doesn’t get too long.
• Rake clippings to avoid thickening thatch.
• Aerate the soil to prevent compaction.
• Create a fertilization plan with Simply Green Lawn Care experts. 
• Water deeply but infrequently, and only in the morning. Letting water sit on the grass overnight can foster growth of many types of fungi.

Is Lawn Rust Treatable?

Yes! If Lawn Rust is already present, apply an effective fungicide including azoxystrobin, mancozeb, mancozeb plus copper hydroxide (formulated as a mixture), metconazole, myclobutanil, propiconazole, pyraclostrobin, triadimefon, trifloxystrobin, and triticonazole. To be sure which is best for your lawn, contact Simply Green Lawn Care Plus for a treatment plan.

Once the fungicide has taken effect, mow the affected grass and aerate the soil. Then begin the prevention methods mentioned above to keep Lawn Rust from reinfecting your lawn. 

For severe cases of Lawn Rust, homeowners may need to reseed or resod the damaged areas.

Simply Green Lawn Care Plus Is Here to Help!

Lawn Rust can be a frustrating and unsightly issue for Georgia homeowners.Let Simply Green help you create a healthy lawn and keep it maintained with the right service programs. If you have any questions or concerns about Lawn Rust or any other lawn care issue, contact Simply Green for help!