Healthy grass makes weak grass look worse.

I'm still hearing a lot of reports of active summer patch.

Although diseases are still present, the pressure from the extreme temperatures and the short nights are coming to an end. High temperatures throughout the Northeast are expected to be in the upper 60's to mid 80's depending if you are inland or along the coast.

Despite weather changing for the better and growing conditions improving, this is presenting a problem for some as the turf that made it through the summer is starting to look good which is making the turf that was on the edge or that didn't fair well look even worse.  Regardless, now is the time to overseed and start getting that grass back prior to winter.

I have also heard of some that have shut down their greens or entire course in the last week or two. The overcast and wet conditions in some areas appears to be giving rise to bacterial wilt problems on annual bluegrass. Since legal control measures are limited to non-existent, it is important to raise mowing heights, dedicate a walk-mower to affected greens, mow when it's dry, and wash equipment with a 10% bleach solution to help reduce the damage. Aggressive cultural practices like topdressing and aerification should be avoided during this times too which may cause problems for some since the calendars may be fixed for these activities to take place.

Brown patch on a new putting green seeded in June.

More traditional diseases present include the resurgence of dollar spot, flaring of summer patch, anthrancose, and lingering brown patch. Remember that although we are getting close to the end of the tough weather, stretching your fungicide applications for dollar spot is not a good idea.  The disease is definitely going to increase in the coming months and curative/recovery applications are less effective than staying on top of things. As for summer patch (which I have been getting a lot of calls about), we are seeing breakthrough of even the best fungicide programs for summer patch this year.  Resistance is not an issue with this disease.  It is just that the extreme environmental conditions have proven just too much in situations where the disease is chronic or extremely severe. My recommendation for a season ending application is thiophanate methyl.

Other than that, things are starting to get a little more quiet and I see that the chatter of mid-summer is dwindling to a mere whisper.  It is almost time for a much needed break and a cold one...you deserve it!