By DoMyOwn staff
Red Thread is a lawn disease that can cause plant death if left untreated. The best way to prevent red thread is to make sure your turf has the nutrients it needs to fight off the fungus.
If you’ve spotted pink or red tufts or threads growing in your turfgrass, you may have a case of red thread lawn disease. While this fungal disease causes unsightly grown and discoloration to your turf, you can get it under control and stop its progression using the right products and lawn care steps.
Red thread is most common in the Northern United States where cool season turf thrives, including fine fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass.
The disease can appear in the late spring, summer, or later in the fall. It thrives when temperatures are between 40- and 70-degrees Fahrenheit. Higher humidity encourages red thread growth, but turf death is more likely during dry periods.
Many cases of red thread are the result of a lack of nitrogen in the soil. You should check your soil’s nutrient levels with a home soil test kit to determine if this is the cause. By performing this test—either using a home test kit or by making use of your local extension office—you will gain valuable information about the soil under your lawn and how you can make the most of it in the seasons ahead.
If your test results indicate a Nitrogen shortage, you should select a lawn fertilizer recommended by your soil test results that contains a higher level of Nitrogen. Fertilizing your lawn appropriately may address your red thread issue.
Applying fungicide can also fight off this unwanted blight. If you decide to apply a fungicide treatment to your lawn, a combination of preventative and curative treatments may be necessary.
If red thread is presently in your lawn, you should apply a curative fungicide treatment in the spring or fall. It’s important to note that a preventative fungicide treatment should be made before the months when red thread typically appears in the area. By observing lawn disease symptoms around your property each season, you can get an idea for when each is likely to appear and plan your preventative treatments accordingly.
If you decide to apply a fungicide treatment to your lawn, take care to note the “group number” of the product you select. Fungicides are divided into groups that are coded with numbers known as FRAC codes. It is important to alternate between products of different FRAC code groups to avoid the buildup of resistance to any one product.
Before planning your lawn care application, always confirm compatibility between products, turf types, and any other involved plants. Consider the labeled application rates, timing, and any fungicide rotation factors.
When treating, follow all labeled instructions completely. Always be sure to wear the appropriate PPE including chemical resistant gloves and long sleeves, long pants, closed-toe shoes, and socks when mixing or applying any fungicide product.
Watering properly will also help make your lawn less attractive to red thread and other fungal lawn diseases. You can avoid excess surface moisture that encourages fungal growth by watering early in the morning. You will then water less often but for a longer time frame.
By following these recommendations and using the right products, you can eliminate red thread from your lawn.
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