The 'fungus among us' -- just blame it on the rain

The two-and-a-half week spell of wet weather that began after Memorial Day has given us a welcomed abundance of rain. This will slow down the negative impact of the drought we have been experiencing for the past three years.

However, there is still plenty of hot, dry weather predicted for the rest of the summer. It is important to remember that water restrictions are still on. Gardening activities should continue to be planned around minimal water use and ways to attain the optimum potential from lawns, shrubs, flowers and ornamental tress during the summer.

Excessive and abundant rainfall along with high humidity has helped to create fungus `among us' in the landscape. Slime mold on a lawn looks like someone spilled motor oil on your grass.

A common fungus that affects lawns during warm, wet weather, slime mold does not hurt the grass, but uses it for support. It looks bad and can be controlled by simply hosing off the grass or can be removed when your lawn is mowed.

Powdery mildew has been observed throughout DeKalb County. Sudden leaf drops from dogwood trees may be the result of powdery mildew. It is also evident on crape myrtles and other ornamental trees. Leaves appear to be covered with a dusty sheen of white powder in most situations.

A heavy infection looks like the leaves have been frosted with a thick layer of powder. Powdery mildew thrives best during warm days, low humidity and cool nights, similar to those that began Father's Day weekend.

It is a parasitic-type fungus that can damage leaf cells and block the tree from receiving sunshine. Yellow leaves may fall, or become dry and black and simply hang on the tree.

It is difficult to control once the leaves are infected, but fungicides such as Daconil can help prevent the fungus from spreading. Watering the tree on your scheduled days this month and in August will help.

Spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch from the drip line of the tree back to the trunk. Fertilize lightly, using one pound of 10-10-10 per inch of trunk diameter and consider using a preventive fungicide to treat young trees.

Although not a fungus, mosses are primitive plants that may be present in lawns of a shaded area that begins to thin out, particularly fescue. The pH (degree of acidity) of a soil may be low and moisture high.

A lawn that gets very little sunlight is likely to be heavy with moss. Having the soil tested for fertility and pH will help determine your lawn and fertilizer needs and is a good start toward elimination of moss.

Pruning tree limbs to less than 10 feet from surrounding trees will allow for more sunlight and air movement and can help control moss.

Aerate and contour the soil to improve water drainage and re-seed your rescue lawn in the fall to prevent moss build-up. Hydrated lime usually sold in 3- or 4-pound bags can remove moss quickly, but if the environmental conditions do not change, it will return.

The DeKalb County Extension Service recently established hours from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays at the Memorial Drive and I-285 location. You can take a soil sample there or call 404-298-4080 with gardening questions.