[scapepro]

Ive been going over stuff from last year, and I rememeber a customer that had orange looking powder stuff on their grass. I'm no hort guy but it looked like what Id call rust. it was dusty and got on yuor shoes when you walk in it.

how do you get rid of the stuff?

thanks

[jwholden]

If you want to immediately get rid of a rust your are going to have to apply a fungicide. Which is expensive (for your customer) and requires an applicators license.

Often you will see rust on lawns that are already under stress. An application of fertilizer can push the lawn out of it. However, it usually takes some time, and a change in the climate for the lawn to look better.

[Will Pacala]

I agree without a license it's hard to get rid of that. I don't even think that mowing the grass low and trying to either wait or to go ahead and overseed would help at all. I think that it's one of those non-dying fungises! Surf the net your likely to find something about that grass rust of yours! Good Luck!

P.S I thought of another thing that could be it. There are small mushroom looking things that grow around here and do just about the same things that you are describing to us. Not sure what it is but if it looks round and/or like a small mushroom it could be it. the name is escaping me right now sorry!

[Paul]

My experience with rust has been to re-adjust the watering and apply a high N fertilizer. I don't see it much on fescue lawns and we have been trying to get park districts in our area to add fescue to their mixes. I do have to admit that it can be very hard to get rid of and the solution might be in the soils. All the places I have seen it on have had very high Ph numbers slowing the take up of N and are high traffic areas. The addition of sulfur in our area will not reduce the Ph do to a high Magnesium level.

[Dale Wiley]

It's rust, commonly found on bluegrass big time, and some ryes this time of year.

Note this : Fungicides are prevenative in nature, not curative. You must apply before the fungus is present to competely prevent it. You can apply after, but continuing applications will need to be made depending on product and fungus to be controlled.

Free water, the right tempatures, low fertility levels and the right angle of the moon and stars will cause fungus. Mushrooms are a different type of fungi, that need different conditions to replicate and mainfiest themselves. They are pretty harmless.

Mpost fungus in grass are pretty much harmless on commercial turfs. They cause major problems on golf course's on closely mowed greens with lots of water and feet to move the vector around. A dollar spot or snow mold will kill spots and entire greens if not prevented and agressively controlled.

[PSUscaper]

Is the lawn irrigated??

I've seen situations where the well water has extremly high iron contents and will stain the lawn. There's a nursery by me that has unbelievable rust.......everything there turned rusty.....the plants, the ground, the walkways, the building.........it was a real mess.........but I got a really, really good deal on plants!

[Will Pacala]

I think I know what nursery your talking about. Anfd your right! They should try to fix that. Are there many wells around you like he said?? Also did someone before you (if anyone) use too much of a certain chemical or fertilizer?? That might have an effect on it.

[scapepro]

wow, thanks for the great answers. I think its mostly bluegrass, and we have a lot of clay around here (that has high ph, right??).

Next spring when I see them again i'll tell them to cut back the water and and use some fert.

thanks!!!

[jwholden]

I had a situation where two of my lawns got rust. They were new lawn installs I had done with one of the Tri-Rye mixes. Your boots were covered after walking across that mess. When more rain came they did grow out of it along with a dose of fertilizer, but there wasn't a thing anyone was going to do until we got the rain and cooler fall temperatures.

Moral of the story - I ended up overseeding both lawns with a bluegrass, fescue, rye mix and haven't had a problem since. This is the only seed mix I use now. If one of the grasses has a problem I can count on the other two to take up the slack!

[GLAN]

I don't recall having any problems with rust lately.... Many, many years ago we would come across a lawn with it.

Maintain fertility and elevate low branches of trees alowing more light and air flow. And of course maintain water..............Oh....well. Basicaly maintain healthy turf.

Other than that a contact fungicide or Bayleton.......water that in and allow it to systemicaly come up through the plant........I have found Bayleton needs to be timed as a preventative and the results are a little longer lasting.