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{ LANDSCAPES & YARD CARE } Triple Threat Overlooked lawn ailments, and how to get the jump on them With spring green-up of our lawns, it’s easy to assume that our lawns will sprout up green and healthy without much intervention. Often that is the case, but there are also a number of pathogens that can throw a wrench into the healthy growth process. Let’s look at a few of them as noted by researchers Sherman Thomson and Scott Ockey at Utah State University: Summer Patch Cause: Magnaporthe graminicola—fungus Importance: Can be a serious problem. May be present during the summer. Symptoms: Dead circles or arcs that range in size from several inches to several feet in diameter, indistinguishable from necrotic ring spot. Microscopic dark hyphae can be found on the grass crowns. Difficult to control. Control: 1. Aerate to reduce thatch in early spring. 2. Nitrogen fertilizer should be applied fre- quently and at low rates when the grass is actively growing. 3. Mow at 2.5–3 inches. 4. Water infrequently but deeply. 5. Apply fungicide where the disease has occurred. 6. Replant with several grass species with resistance. Fairy Ring Cause: Various basidiomycete fungi Importance: Common but only important in a few situations. Symptoms: Circle of dark green grass with mushrooms forming in the band. Occasionally, the grass dies within the ring. Control: 1. Keep turf adequately fertilized to pro- mote even turf growth and color. 2. Aerate or use surfactants to improve water penetration into rings. Silicone surfactants work best. 3. If problem is severe, kill grass with gly- phosate herbicide, rototill and replant. Powdery Mildew Cause: Erysiphe graminis--fungus Importance: Common but causes minor damage. Symptoms: White powder on leaves, espe- cially in shady areas. Control: 1. Do not plant turf in heavy shade. 2. Prune trees and shrubs to enhance light penetration. 3. Water infrequently but deeply. 4. Plant shade-adapted varieties (fescue). 5. Apply fungicides to turf with a history of mildew. Idaho Trees Gem State homeowners are look- ing for the best shade trees to grow in their Idaho landscaping. Planting trees in Idaho will really depend a great deal on where you live. As we all know, a spring afternoon in Blackfoot can be a far cry from the same afternoon in, say, Ashton. Generally speaking, however, outstand- ing Idaho tree choices will include speci- men trees that are highly adaptable to the variable Idaho climate conditions, demon- strating great drought tolerance and resis- tance to pests and diseases. You will want to look for types of trees that are fast-growing, cold hardy, and are perhaps even native Idaho trees such as flowering dogwoods. For shade, consider the Hybrid Poplar tree, Autumn Blaze Maple or Purple Autumn Ash. A unique Idaho landscaping plant is the Royal Empress tree, with superior fast growth and unusual lush flowers added to it being a hardwood shade tree that is quickly gaining popularity across the country. Remember to accent your yard with flowering trees that grow well there such as the Autumn Cherry tree. SOURCE: IDAHO FAST GROWING TREES NURSERY Nursery Finder » Contacts for East Idaho landscape services Allen’s Greenhouse Inc. Terreton 208-663-4201 Coates Landscape Supply Rexburg 208-656-0600 Eagle Rock Nursery Idaho Falls 208-529-3305 J P Trees Rigby 208-589-7242 Lone Pine Tree Service Rexburg 208-356-3934 M D Nursery and Landscaping Driggs 208-354-8816 Pocatello Sod / Green Works Inc. Pocatello 208-232-8987 Sunnyside Gardens Inc. Idaho Falls 208-522-4660 Swiss Precision Enterprises Ashton 208-652-7831 44 | EAST IDAHO HOME & GARDEN 2010 Town and Country Gardens Idaho Falls 208-522-5247 Trail Creek Nursery Victor 208-787-2470