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Home lawns and golf course turf can be subject to many fungus diseases throughout the growing season. These fungus organisms generally need a specific temperature range of the air and/or soil together with specific duration of moisture. Fungus needs moisture to grow. This can come from too much and frequent rain, over watering, dew and high humidity levels. Each fungus disease has its own range of “trigger” mechanisms. Other factors can come into play as well, such as: fertility levels of micro and macro elements, physical damage to the plant, heat and drought stress, etc. There are different diseases for each season; some in cool weather and some in warm weather and some in between. Decisions need to be made. Do you treat when these conditions are present but before the disease erupts (preventatively); or wait for the first signs of disease to show and then go after it? Another option is to do no treatment with fungicides and let nature take its course and repair the lawn damage as needed. One must decide what is right for them. Fungicides are generally very expensive and may need to be re-applied. If conditions favoring disease are very high and for a prolonged period of time higher rates and more applications may be needed. Treatments can be effective for 7 to 28 days depending on certain factors. Some materials work systemically and others as a contact treatment. Systemic materials work from within the plant and last longer but are very expensive and diseases can easily become resistant to the product. Contacts work fast but don’t last as long and can be washed off more easily. Quite often materials have to be mixed together for broad spectrum control. Again; this becomes very expensive. None of these treatments can promise 100% control. Realistic expectations must be acknowledged. This makes it important to follow the proper cultural lawn care practices. Cut your lawn often and with sharp blades, water properly, provide proper levels of light and air circulation. When considering fungicides for your lawn ask yourself the following questions: What level of quality do I want from my lawn? Do I want the added expense? Do I want another chemical application (s)? Do I have realistic expectations of the fungicide applications? Fungicides can be a very useful tool to protect your lawn and to bring it to a higher level but are not perfect. Contact our office for help and guidance with your decision.