Fungus diseases: If your lawn is developing areas that yellow and then turn brown, and you cannot find any insect pests, then you may consider the possibility of a fungus disease, particularly if you have been watering a lot, or watering at night. Closely examine the grass blades to see if they appear to be rotting off where they're attached to the stem. If so, then a fungus disease is a good possibility. Of course, if you see mushrooms, you definitely have fungus!

A healthy lawn can fight off enemies such as fungi, weeds, and insect pests. Keeping your turf grass cut at the correct height and applying water at proper times will go a long way in fighting off lawn pests. Most turf diseases thrive under certain conditions that include moisture and temperature, and nitrogen supply. That is why you will notice that diseases appear during certain seasons. Aside from extreme weather conditions, improper watering, too much or too little fertilizer, improper mowing height, soil compaction, uneven grading, accumulated thatch, overuse of lawn pesticides, or any combination of these may make your lawn more susceptible.

• Remove excess thatch in fall and do not leave clippings in the area affected.
• Use a mulching mower that puts fine clippings back into the lawn. The beneficial organisms in the clippings help digest thatch.
• Avoid light, frequent watering. Water only in the early morning, water deeply, and water as infrequently as possible. We recommend every three days (except during heat waves), watering just to the point of runoff.
• Mow frequently at recommended heights.
• " Aerate compacted soils in spring and apply Best Soil Buster palletized gypsum to open up soil.
• Fertilize only with a balanced fertilizer, (we recommend Dr. Earth Supernatural Lawn Food) every 2-3 months year-round. Using a fertilizer with too much or too little nitrogen can encourage fungus (of different types).
• If the fungus is appearing in a 'low spot' where water tends to sit, build up the area ½ inch at a time with top soil or consider a water-loving turf alternative.
• Plant disease-resistant grasses such as tall fescues.
• Top-dress with a thin layer of organic mulch, such as Paydirt, once a year in May or June. In addition to building healthy soil, there are also many beneficial microbes and naturally occurring substances in organic mulching materials that suppress disease organisms.

Curative

By the time a disease is recognized and the cause identified, damage has already been done and no amount of fungicide can restore the damaged grass. However, applying a fungicide such as Bayer Advanced Fungus Control for Lawns to the lawn can kill the existing fungus and prevent the disease spread. In the long run though, the lawn care measures you adopt (topdressing, watering and fertilizing properly, mowing at the correct height, aerating, and reducing thatch) will not only help existing disease problems but will also aid in their prevention.

Whew, it's hot! All except the most ardent heat-lovers are beginning to long for the cooler weather of autumn. This is the time of year when most of us want to sit back, sip a cool drink and look at the flowers.

It certainly isn't the time most would choose to renovate sections of the garden or to tackle a long put-off lawn or garden project. However, it's a great time to work on creating an outdoor room. As with indoor decorating, your garden should reflect you and your family, so that everyone feels comfortable there. Create a retreat away from the house under a big shade tree. Place furniture so that friends and family can talk, enjoy views, or just relax and read a book.

If you don't have a fountain or pool in your garden, now is a great time to add one! Did you know studies have shown that a water element can lower one's body temperature by two degrees on a hot day? Concrete or stone fountains generally take less than an hour to set up and are quite easy to care for. However, they're heavy, so grab some neighbor kids to help. Then, just sit back, relax with friends and enjoy a cool drink in the greatest room in your house - your garden.

Our lawns and gardens are put under a good deal of stress this time of year. Any weakness in water coverage, soil nutrition or weed control shows up immediately in the heat of summer.

Now is an excellent time to double-check your sprinkler system. Plugged or broken heads should be fixed or replaced.

Brown-patterned circles in your lawn around a sprinkler head indicate it has been plugged by dirt or has become a victim of the dreaded lawn mower attack.

The irrigation system in flower beds should also be carefully checked. Many times we plant in front of a sprinkler. This isn't a problem when the plant is a 6" tall seedling, but can result in disaster for others in the bed as that tiny plant grows to a couple of feet in height--and blocks the water to other plants.

Make the necessary adjustments--and watch your plants flourish!

Brian was born and raised in San Jose and currently is a student at Mission College, where he is studying to become a firefighter like his father and grandfather before him.

Ever the prankster, Brian was once suspended from high school for a week after setting off a stink bomb in his science class and causing the evacuation of the classroom.

Always interested in science, he once broke his hand punching the ground to see how "hard" it really was. Fortunately, the incident didn't cause any permanent injury.

Brian enjoys four-wheeling, sleeping, watching movies, sleeping, hanging out with his friends and . . . sleeping.

My Celebrity Service staff and I look forward to serving you this year. We'll go out of our way to make your day!

Eric Wilder - President