As we enjoy the dazzling new flowers and plants “springing” up around us this season, we may also encounter the rise of some less desirable details in our yards. The warmer, wetter weather of spring in North Texas encourages an explosion of new growth in the spring. Unfortunately, this growth boom also applies to lawn diseases, weeds, and pests.
No one wants to see any unsightly or unhealthy problems in their yard, no matter the time of year. However – as they often say – the first step to solving a problem is realizing you have one! Identifying lawn issues early on goes a long way towards successfully treating and eradicating the issue.
Lawn diseases, weeds, and pests are extremely efficient at spreading, taking over, and destroying yards. So this spring, take the time to watch out for these common spring lawn issues that could be lurking in your lawn. Hopefully, you’ll be able to squash the problem before it spreads into a huge burden.
Common Spring Lawn Diseases in North Texas
With warm, wet spring temperatures here to stay, North Texas lawns are in a period of increased vulnerability to lawn diseases. Lawn diseases are notoriously successful at spreading, causing damage, and returning year after year. Keep your lawn healthy and strong to fight off common spring lawn diseases by practicing good lawn care techniques.
If you notice any signs of lawn disease in your yard, contact Gecko Green as soon as possible and let our superior lawn care program take care of your yard.
Fairy Ring
Although the name of this common spring lawn disease may sound fun and fanciful, the reality of it in your lawn is much closer to a curse. This fungal disease is capable of causing a lot of damage if not treated. Fairy ring is most common during periods of wet weather when nighttime temperatures remain on the cooler side. This disease manifests as a circle or ring of dark green dying grass. This ring is also sometimes accompanied by mushrooms or puffballs (hence the name).
Fairy rings can cause significant damage because it actually causes the affected area to become hydrophobic or water-repellant. With the grass and soil no longer able to absorb water, the grass dries out and dies. Unfortunately, fairy rings are very successful at returning year after year on a larger scale, so identifying this fungal disease in your yard is crucial.
Leaf Spot
Leaf spot is another fairly common lawn disease that likes to rear its ugly head in the springtime. This disease becomes more visible as temperatures climb a little above 50º and as the wetter weather of spring moves in. Upon close examination of a grass blade, leaf spot is observed as elongated brown spots bordered by darker brown or purplish edges. Leaf spot primarily attacks ryegrass, bluegrass, Bermuda grass, and tall fescue.
Brown Patch and Large Patch
Brown patch disease is one of the most common and severe lawn diseases in North Texas. As the name suggests, this fungal disease creates large areas or patches of brown, dying grass. This disease thrives in the cool, wet weather of spring but is an issue year-round. Brown patch targets all species of North Texas grass and is a common factor in creating declining lawn conditions.
Brown patch weakens turf, making it much more susceptible to weed, disease, and pest invasions.
Large patch lawn disease is actually so similar in appearance to brown patch that it was only relatively recently discovered. As with brown patch disease, this fungus creates large brown areas of dying grass and is common in cool, wet weather. However, this disease only affects warm-season grass, such as zoysia grass or St. Augustine grass.
Common Spring Weeds in North Texas
As temperatures rise in the spring, lawns can quickly be overtaken by weeds. Keep an eye out for any of these common troublemakers in your yard, and contact Gecko Green at the first sign of them. With our comprehensive weed control service, we can tackle any weeds trying to take over your spring landscape.
Henbit
This winter annual broadleaf weed is undoubtedly in plentiful supply in the North Texas area. Henbit is highly competitive with grass and is very efficient at spreading. Henbit can be identified by its square green or purple stem, which branches at the base. This weed has leaves that are circular with notched edges and are hairy in texture. Henbit is also adorned by purple and pink flower blooms that are cylindrical in shape.
Common Chickweed
This annual broadleaf weed thrives in cool, shady, wet areas making spring the perfect time for it to spread. Chickweed is mainly identifiable by the intertwined, matted nature of its growth. Common Chickweed has hairy, green stems that branch out horizontally and mat together.
The leaves are green, oval, smooth-edged, and grow in opposite pairs on the stems. Common Chickweed usually has small flowers that grow in clusters. These clusters typically have 10 tiny white petals that fan out in a star shape.
Dandelion
Dandelions are an American classic of a perennial broadleaf weed and possibly the best-known weed around. These weeds have a deep, thick taproot with deeply lobed leaves that point back to their base. However, dandelions are best known for their long, leafless stems that are topped with yellow flower blooms.
Thistle
Although there are several thistle species in North Texas, the Texas thistle is one of the most common. This weed is a prickly, tap-rooted annual. In the spring, thistle weeds sprout their distinctive flowering stalk which grows 2 to 5 feet tall, has spiny leaves, and is topped with one purple bloom. The flowering stalk scatters and spreads seeds in the wind.
Lawn Burweed
Lawn burweed is a winter annual broadleaf weed. This weed consists of many low-growing stems that branch out and are densely covered with small parsley-like leaves. Lawn burweed is perhaps best known for the sharp, spiny seeds that it grows in the spring—these seeds spread by sticking to animals, shoes, clothes, and skin (ouch!).
Bluegrass (poa annua)
Whether you call it bluegrass or poa annua, you’ll be “blue” if you end up with this common troublesome grassy weed in your yard. This weed grows upright in dense bunches or clumps with leaves that are smooth with serrated edges. Bluegrass is also adorned with boat-shaped tips consisting of seed-filled spikelets. These seedheads produce many seeds that easily spread and contribute to its speedy growth rate.
Rescuegrass
Rescuegrass is a winter annual weed that poses a problem during the winter and spring seasons till it dies off in the heat of summer. This grassy weed forms in bunched clumps and features seed spikelets. The stems are round and hairy, with sheaths compressed in a tube-like manner along the stem.
Common Spring Pests in North Texas
With freezing winter temperatures in the past and warm, welcoming temperatures ahead, pest populations increase dramatically in the spring. Not only can pests damage and even destroy your landscape, but some of them can also be extremely dangerous.
If you notice any signs of pest activity in your yard, contact Gecko Green straight away. Our top-notch pest control program can keep you and your property protected every season.
Chinch Bugs
The southern chinch bug (Blissus insularis) is among the most serious of St. Augustine grass pests. These pesky pests begin to be active in the spring and thrive in hot, dry environments, especially in sunny areas. The southern chinch bug feeds on the sap stored within grass blades. Once the internal fluids of a grass blade are drained, the grass dehydrates, withers then dies.
As these pests continue to feed and spread outward, they create a brown patch bordered by a ring of yellow grass. Adult southern chinch bugs are slight and small, about ⅛-⅒ of an inch long. They have black bodies with white wings, each wing showing a triangular black mark.
Ants
Ants are another common lawn pest that becomes more active in the warmer temperatures of spring. With the freezing temperatures of winter behind them, ants use spring to spread and form new colonies. Keep a watchful eye out for any new ant colonies growing in your yard, especially fire ants.
Mosquitoes
Although mosquitoes are technically more of a sky pest, they can absolutely affect your time in your lawn. Mosquito activity picks up when temperatures rise above 50º, and mosquito season officially begins in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in March.
Due to their disease spreading ability, mosquitoes are actually considered the most dangerous animal in the world.
Always be sure to take steps to protect yourself and your family when outdoors during mosquito season. Gecko Green’s expert mosquito control service in North Texas is an excellent option for keeping your property safe this mosquito season.
Gecko Green can handle any lawn problems that spring up in your yard.
Whether you’re facing lawn disease, weed, or pest problems in your North Texas lawn, Gecko Green has your back through every season. Our comprehensive pest control, weed control, and lawn care services keep you covered year-round with the protection of the best products and the most knowledgeable experts.
Call us today for a free quote and to learn about our guaranteed services so you can relax this season without worrying about any lawn issues “springing” up in your yard.
