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Turf Diseases

Brown Patch Brown patch is a fungus that affects Bermudagrass and St. Augustinegrass. You will see circular brown areas in the lawn. The areas will develop during cool, wet weather, usually in the spring or fall. The leaves of the turfgrass will wilt and die, which will cause brown patchy areas.

Dollar Spot Dollar spot can affect Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass. The disease will cause yellowish-tan patches that usually develop in late summer. Light tan areas with reddish-brown margins will appear on leaves.

Fairy Rings Fairy rings can be found in all types of turf. Fairy rings are large areas of very green grass, dead grass, mushrooms or puffballs. Soil fumigation or rototilling may remove fairy rings.

Gray Leaf Spot This disease affects St. Augustinegrass. It causes oval or circular lesions that are bordered by purple or brown margins. The lesions usually develop in warm, wet weather. Grass leaves will wither and die if there are a lot of lesions. This will give the grass a brownish color. Avoid watering in late afternoon and evening. Trees and shrubs should be pruned to improve the movement of air and increase light intensity on the turf.

Leaf Spot This disease affects Bermudagrass. Leaf spot causes dark, circular lesions on the blades and stems of the grass. Lesions may become red, purple or tan with dark margins. Turf will turn yellow or brown and become thin if the disease is severe. Prolonged leaf wetness should be avoided. Mower blades should be kept sharp and close mowing should be avoided in late spring and summer.

Spring Dead Spot Spring dead spot affects Bermudagrass. This disease causes dead spots to appear in the grass during the spring. Spring dead spot usually occurs in lawns that are at least 3-5 years old. Thatch should be reduced be aerating the soil core. Fungicides may be able to be used to control spring dead spot.

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