Question
QUESTION: I have not been that serious about lawn maintenance but there was actually a Red Cloud of dust that burst from the grass a few days ago when I walked across it.  Is this anything you have ever heard of before and should I be worried?  We mow a lot but we do not use any chemicals (or anything else) on the grass or shrubbery.

ANSWER: A Fungus called Puccinia erupts from time to time during heat waves when cold season Grasses are taking their Summer Siestas.

Severe cases can give the whole yard a Yellow to Red-orange look.  Red-orange dust sticks to shoes and sandals as you walk through the Grass; when you mow, the air fills with clouds of its mycelia.  Red-orange spots appear on Leaves, filled with the dust, ready to explode underfoot.  

This disease, called 'Rust', is not an emergency.  But it does weaken Grass.  High humidity and warm nights (70 to 75 degrees F) followed by very hot days in the 90s are perfect setups.  Rust really is a problem for Merion and Touchdown Bluegrasses.

As the Purdue people point out, 'There are very few instances where the cost of fungicide application would be worthwhile.'  Stop fertilizing, don't use any fungicide, and don't water until the ground is good and dry.

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

QUESTION: Just one thing, I have not been watering the grass, so I could not be watering it too much. Also if this is a fungus why would you hold off on the fungicide?

Glad to hear it's not an emergency.  If you have a link or website for this fungus I would appreciate it or for grass fungus in general.

We do have a Kentucky Bluegrass Lawn from what I have been told.

Thanks for your help.
ANSWER: High humidity or lots of rain combined with the right temps are all you need for Grass to be struck with a Fungus attack.  But there is almost always one more condition: Something YOU did to upset the natural balance in the soil.

People who are watchful of the health of their Lawn are usually the first ones to use chemicals on it.  People who don't care don't write to me, and they never pay much attention to their Lawn.  Other people notice that they may have a weed problem, but they don't seem to get diseases.  Reason being, they don't upset the natural balance in their soil.

So I have to wonder what you did that suddenly the Rust (which was always there) found the strength to bloom all over the place.  You may have done nothing, of course.  But I have to ask, because I do wonder.  Please let me know.  I'm dieing to find out!

With regard to your Fungicide question, it goes back to that balance in the soil.  MOST Fungi are 'GOOD'.  A VERY small percentage are 'BAD'.  Any chemical you put down will upset the balance in your soil.  A Fungicide will wipe out most of the GOOD Fungi and any bad Fungi that were present will have, excuse the expression, a field day on your Lawn.

The best way to fight BAD Fungi is to put GOOD Fungi in your soil.  Even organic Fungicides (e.g., Baking Soda) will destroy the balance and the GOOD Fungi.  Leave well enough alone.  Your Grass will recover.

Now, please tell me what if anything was put down there -- fertilizer, herbicide, grub killer, weed b gone, etc.  Thanks for your question.

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

QUESTION: As far as the usual suspects it was a standard coat of fertilizer in the spring - don't remember which one. Lime also was definitely applied but not in a large quantity, just one coat.  And one coat of Ortho for Grubs (I don't recall the trade name) as a preventive measure primarily.  There were not any weed killers in the garage.

Answer
Chemicals alter the balance of Nature in your soil, my friend.  All of the above -- the fertilizer, the grub Ortho killer product, anything you left out (not the Lime) -- these wipe out the life in your soil.

New cutting edge methods of Lawn Care focus on the package.  Not the plant.

Say not to Pesticides.  The Earth is Round.