Keeping Your Lawn Disease-Free (NAPSA)—Controlling diseases can be one of the more challenging aspects of lawn care. Left alone, diseases like brown patch, dollar spot or rust can quickly turn a beautiful lawn into a splotchy mess. “Lawn diseases are tough to diagnose because they can look like insect damage or even fertilizer burn,” says Lance Walheim, Bayer Advanced™ Garden Expert and coauthor of “Lawn Care for Dummies.” “So the first step is to know what’s causing the trouble and then attack it early. That’ll save you time, money and headaches.” Lawn diseases are often caused by bad lawn-care habits. Here are some simple steps to prevent com- mon lawndiseases: * Proper drainage and watering methods: Most lawn diseases thrive in moist or humid conditions, so you need to make sure your lawn has proper drainage and is being watered correctly. If part of your lawn is constantly wet, you’ve got a breeding ground for fungus, so be sure to aerate to improve drainage. Another tip: Be sure to water your lawn early in the morning so that it dries off in the afternoon. Deep, infrequent waterings give your grass time to dry out as well. Read the fertilizer label: Somediseases like heavily fertilized lawns. Others like underfertilized lawns. You can help prevent Simple steps can help prevent lawn disease. lawn diseasesif you follow the recommended fertilization schedule for your type of grass. There’s a correct way to mow: Keep your lawn mower’s blades razor sharp. Dull blades tear the grass. That injures it and provides a breeding groundfor fungus spores. Don’t cut wet grass. Wait for your lawn to dry off from the morning deworafter a rainfall. * Use a preventive fun- gus control product: Bayer Advanced Fungus Control for Lawns cures and prevents common lawn diseases such as brown patch, dollar spot, rust and others for up to 30 days. The new hoseend sprayer is convenient to use, takes less time to apply and lets you cover a 5,000-square-foot lawn with one application. Always read and follow all label directions. Visit BayerAdvanced.com for more information and helpful how-to videosor call (877) BAYERAG.
