As it turns out, Lake Erie isn’t our only environmental issue. In a 2018 study released by the The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), it appears that Cleveland’s environmental conditions are leading to a pretty dire health situation for our lawns.
Per the NALP study, Cleveland’s issues lie with frequent problems for the area, including the fungal diseases dollar spot and red thread. If you’ve ever seen grass with a pinkish tint or a circular patch of discoloration, you’ve got dollar spot and red thread.
Our wildly changing weather conditions are also a cause for concern, as heat and poor drainage can cause the spread of these lawn diseases. Given that last week Cleveland switched from high 80-degree weather almost immediately into rainy 50-degree weather, we’re expected to see weeds grow at a rapid and powerful rate.
The study concluded stating, “In addition, Cleveland generally has more rainy days than other cities in the state, making its lawns more likely to be vulnerable.”
Preventative measures like aerating, grass-cycling (leave lawn clippings on the grass to breakdown into nutrients), and keeping grass at a 3-and-a-half-inch height can help combat poor lawn health.
This article appears in May 9-15, 2018.
It probably doesn’t help that half the city’s housing/apartment stock sits vacant and vandalized, or has been dozered into a vacant lot over the last decade. Just say’n!
Were number 1 in leftist disease thanks to BJ and Sam A.
Some tips are helpful, like aerate your lawn. Other tips are a little too “organic” for my tastes. I always love driving by the lawns that advertise as “natural lawns” so I can count all the weeds.