Fungus Problem?

[keerym]

I have a yard that has had a problem in the past few years in the back of the house. This yard is very shady, but strangly enough I am having problems in the most sunny area of the yard. What happens is during the end of June to the end of August, a disease develops, my best guess is stripe smut from what I have read and looked at. The owner is reluctant at best when it comes to using harsh chemicals since this entire yard is in the middle of a large woods, so is there anything I can do short of using a fungicide? If I need to use a fungicide, any suggestions on what to use, or the best time to apply? I want to get a plan together now so I am ready before it strikes this summer. Thanks for the help.

[Forever Green Lawn]

Stripe smut is best controled through cultural practices. Keep nitrogen to a minimum in the summer and be sure to keep the lawn irrigated. Fungicides are much to expensive for a home lawn, but monthly apps of DMI fungicides will keep it under control. In the long run it would be better to renovate the lawn and use a resistant blend of bluegrass if the lawn becomes that damaged. Make sure it is stripe smut and not leaf spot diseases.

Scott