Natural Lawn Fungus Control

In rainy climates, lawn fungus can ruin the look of your yard, but you can help prevent it from destroying your grass without using chemical fungicides through careful planning and maintenance.

Planting

• When planting your lawn, avoid varieties of grass susceptible to common fungus infections, like the Windsor or Midnight strains of Kentucky bluegrass. Ensure grass receives sunlight in all areas, and cut back overhanging shrubs that could impede air circulation. This helps avoid moisture buildup and retention in the grass.

Maintenance

• Allow your grass to dry in between waterings, and be careful not to overuse nitrogen fertilizer; overuse can help feed some fungal infections. When you cut your lawn, rake back any thatch buildup so it cannot trap moisture and encourage mildew growth.

Considerations

• Take extra care when monitoring your lawn for fungal problems in rainy or humid weather. Some lawn fungus, like slime molds, can be manually removed instead of treated with chemicals. Rake up the fungus patch and throw it away, or leave it on mulch or gravel until it dries, advises "The Organic Lawn Care Manual."