Question
QUESTION: our neighbor was counseled to use fungicide to address a history of lawn disease. The lawn does indeed appear to show signs of damage, however I believe it is prior damage... Besides changing his cultural practices, he received advise that he apply fungicide (almost freezing temperatures at night here). I think this is way too late...?  Do you agree ?

ANSWER: I would like a little more information about the disease, the Grass, the place you call 'here' to answer you better.  I rarely endorse Fungicides.  But there's a first time for everything.  rsvp,

L.I.G.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We live in Birmingham, in the U.K., although we did live in London until a few months ago.  I have little experience tending grass unfortunately.  I do not know what the grass is other than it is a lawn type of grass, and the disease is one of many that have been affecting the grass on and off for the entire year.  Our lawn is not sick (yet).  Since I wrote to you last, the gentleman has had the fungicide used.  I would still like to know what is going on

Answer
English Lawns--the Gold Standard of Grass.  I wish you could do better than describing it as 'Lawn Type', but let's try to make progress on this problem.

Your neighbor is probably using some serious fertilizers and weedkillers on his Grass.  The problem with these (besides the pollution they both cause) is they eliminate the natural balance of organisms that keep pathogenic Fungi from taking over the world.

Fortunately your neighbor holds a limited amount of real estate and so cannot damage ALL the Grass in the U.K.  A Fungicide does not help matters.  Technically, the best you can hope for with Fungicides is to stop them from spreading.  They don't do nothin' with the Fungi that are already staking claims.

Also, Fungi (depending on which ones you have) need moisture and specific temperatures.  Plus they also need an opportunity to grow and spread.  Most Fungi have a POSITIVE effect on our Lawns and Gardens.  That's a fact.  A wide majority percentage.  They have no chance until you give them one.

Know how you can tell?  Look around.  Are there Fungi growing all over every square millimeter of Soil and Vegetation?  No!  But we know the spores are in the air everywhere; with every breath you take, you inhale hundreds, if not thousands, of Mold and Fungus spores.  If there wasn't something to keep them in check, they'd be growing all over everything.

Your friend probably had a Fungus attack before the Fungicide went down.  Now that there's even fewer allies to fight the Fungus foes, they're moving in tanks and heavy artillery to seize more territory by the hour.

Solution:

1. NO MORE CHEMICALS.  Your Grass doesn't need it, anyway, and it promotes Fungus attacks.

2. NO MORE WATER.  English Lawns don't need it.  It's always raining, yes?

3. NO MORE FUNGICIDES.  Let the natural antiFungus take over.  This problem will solve itself when the temperatures change.

That's all.

Problem solved.  I guarantee it.

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER