5 Clues That You Need Professional Lawn Services

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Taking a periodic survey of your lawn keeps you involved in its development. If you notice unnatural spots gaining a foothold, chances are that a lawn treatment will eradicate the undesirables. Here are five clues that you need to hire a lawn service for some professional attention.

1. Leaf Spot and Melting Out

These are turf diseases common during summer months and affect bluegrass in particular. They are fungus-based and pose particular challenges for older strains of bluegrass, but they will respond to lawn treatment

• Root Causes. Excess thatch, heavy nitrogen fertilization, excess shade, mowing too close, and broadleaf herbicides
• Look For. Purplish-red to purplish-brown borders and brown to tan centers in sizes that vary from several inches up to many feet

2. Necrotic Ring Spot

Another fungus-based turf disease that is common among high-maintenance lawn types. Cooler weather grass types are particularly susceptible.

• Root Causes. Summer heat and drought stress, excessive thatch, excessive fertilizer, compacted soil, and excessive watering
• Look For. A mixture of normal, straw- and red-colored blades around the outer portion of the ring; decomposed thatch with a sunken or depressed appearance

3. Rhizoctonia Yellow Patch

A fungus-based turf disease that thrives in cool, wet weather. Yellow patch frequently damages new sod laid on heavy soils as well as lawns with heavy thatch and compacted soils.

• Root Causes. Inadequate aeration in excessively wet areas
• Look For. Two- to three-inch patches of light green to yellow green grass that turn light tan or brown, increasing to two feet in size

4. Rhizoctonia Blight (aka Brown Patch)

One of the more common hot weather fungus diseases, brown patch is most active at 80 to 90 degree temperatures when grass leaves stay wet for an extended period. Professional lawn services can help eradicate this problem and offer tips for keeping it under control in the long-term.

• Root Causes. The excessive use of nitrogen-based fertilizers and excessive thatch build-up
• Look For. Rough, circular patches on lawns that are 1-3 feet in diameter

5. Rust

Rust doesn't appear every year, but periodically surfaces during intense heat. Bluegrass is particularly susceptible to infection. Rust has the ability to weaken the root system and leave your lawn open to a winter kill. And no lawn treatment or lawn service can resurrect a completely dead lawn--meaning reseeding and a lot of work--so get moving on this one quickly.

• Root Causes. Extended periods of hot weather when grass grows sparingly; inadequate watering schedules
• Look For. A yellowish to reddish-orange appearance with red-orange dust that fills the air during mowing

If you notice any of these turf conditions, it's best to contact your lawn services professional and request treatment based on the factors listed. Some lawn services offer year-round treatment options that can reduce the chances of recurrence.

About the Author

Kelly Richardson has obsessive compulsive lawn disorder and is afflicted with the need to share his knowledge with the world. Kelly writes lawn columns for a variety of home and garden magazines and e-zines.