BLACK SPOT ON ROSES

All roses are prone to catching black spot. Black spot is a fungus that originates in the soil and when it rains or the plant is overhead watered, water splashes up on the leaves and infects the plant.

There are several ways to help reduce the probability of roses catching the fungus. First, when watering the soil, take care not to water the plant. If you have an in-ground sprinkler system, try to re-direct the heads to prevent the plants from being hit. Also, water in the morning so that if the plant does get wet it, it has a chance to dry before sunset and use organic mulch around the plants to help eliminate splashing.

There are many different products available that are effective in treating the disease. However, under severe environmental pressure (cool wet weather and high humidity), black spot is difficult to control. One earth-friendly product that will help control this disease is Serenade which contains a beneficial bacteria, Messenger, which induces natural defenses in the plant, and dusting sulfur. Other options that will help control the disease are Ferti-lome Liquid Systemic Fungicide, and Ferti-lome Halts Fungicide. Both are concentrates that will have to be diluted in water and sprayed.

LAWN FUNGUS

 

 

 

 

 

Every year hundreds of lawns are severely damaged or wiped out by different lawn ailments caused by fungus. Most lawn diseases are very destructive and can be costly to repair and when disease strikes, many people try to fix the disease only to find their efforts to be futile. Once the signs and symptoms of a lawn disease start, it is too late to save.

The best defense in fighting lawn fungus is a good offense and incorporating pro-active habits into your lawn care routine, will help prevent most diseases. Some fungus problems, such as powdery mildew, can easily be treated while other fungi: leaf spot, dollar spot, summer patch, brown patch and pythium blight are more challenging to control. Add severe environmental conditions (cool wet weather and high humidity) into the mix and expect the damage to only be minimized. As your lawn’s caretaker, the subtle changes that you make in your yard work will cause a big difference in your lawn’s health. Please consider the following practical tips:

• Put down preventive fungicides, following the recommended application rates and frequency.
• Apply a granular fungicide such as Ferti-lome F-Stop.
• Set the mower to 3" and then forget about it. Don't adjust the height every month.
• Do not bag your grass clippings, it is myth that grass clippings contribute to thatch.
• Water less. A typical lawn needs an inch and half of water every three days.
• Water your lawn in the early morning hours allowing the grass to dry before sunset.
• Do not fertilize every six weeks. Too much nitrogen, from fertilizers, produces too much growth during a time when blue grass is in a semi-resting stage.
• Go earth friendly with your lawn fertilizer. Organic based fertilizers contain less nitrogen. Try Alfalfa Meal, Milorganite, Pro-rich, Ringer.
• Try using product that promote the soil’s natural antagonists such as Essential, Companion, or Natural Guard Soil Activator.

What's Bugging You written by Scott Evans, Mulhall's garden shop manger, is a bi-weekly post that provides solutions to local lawn and garden issues. The column will run as long as you have problems that you need help with.

We encourage you to tell us what's bugging you in your garden or lawn. Please submit your issues along with a picture of your problem and your contact information to whatsbuggingyou@mulhalls.com.

If we use your submission we will send you a $10 Mulhall's gift card!