Common Lawn Diseases and How to Prevent Them

A healthy lawn can quickly become stressed and susceptible to disease when conditions are right. Understanding common lawn diseases, their causes, and prevention methods is essential for maintaining beautiful turf year-round.

Understanding Lawn Disease

Lawn diseases are typically caused by fungal pathogens that thrive under specific conditions. Three factors must align for disease to develop:

1. A susceptible host - stressed or weakened grass
2. A pathogen present - fungal spores in the environment
3. Favorable conditions - temperature, moisture, humidity

By addressing any of these factors, you can prevent or reduce disease severity.

Brown Patch

Brown patch is one of the most common lawn diseases, particularly affecting tall fescue and perennial ryegrass.

Identification

• Circular patches of brown grass, 6 inches to several feet wide
• Grass blades have tan lesions with dark borders
• Often appears during hot, humid weather
• Most active when nighttime temperatures exceed 68°F

Prevention

• Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization in summer
• Water early in the morning, not at night
• Improve air circulation with proper mowing
• Don't mow wet grass

Dollar Spot

Dollar spot creates small, silver-dollar-sized dead spots that can merge into larger damaged areas.

Identification

• Small, round straw-colored spots (2-6 inches)
• Tan lesions with reddish-brown borders on grass blades
• White, cottony fungal growth in morning dew
• Most common in late spring through fall

Prevention

• Maintain adequate nitrogen fertility
• Water deeply but infrequently
• Remove morning dew by mowing or dragging a hose
• Improve soil drainage

Red Thread

Red thread is easily identified by its distinctive pink or red threads extending from grass blades.

Identification

• Pink to red thread-like structures on grass tips
• Irregular patches of tan or pink grass
• Most common in cool, humid conditions
• Often indicates nitrogen deficiency

Prevention

• Apply appropriate nitrogen fertilizer
• Water early in the day
• Improve air circulation
• Avoid light, frequent irrigation

Snow Mold

Snow mold develops under snow cover and becomes visible as snow melts in spring.

Types

Pink Snow Mold:

• Salmon-pink patches
• More damaging, can kill grass crowns
• Active in temperatures just above freezing

Gray Snow Mold:

• Gray to white patches
• Less severe, usually only affects blades
• Develops under snow cover

Prevention

• Apply fall fertilizer early enough for plant uptake
• Mow lawn shorter for final cut
• Remove excessive leaf debris
• Avoid piling snow on lawn
• Reduce thatch buildup

Pythium Blight

Also called "grease spot," pythium blight can devastate a lawn quickly in hot, humid conditions.

Identification

• Water-soaked, greasy-looking patches
• White, cottony growth in morning
• Grass blades feel slimy
• Rapid spread in favorable conditions

Prevention

• Improve drainage in problem areas
• Avoid overwatering and evening irrigation
• Ensure good air circulation
• Reduce nitrogen during hot weather

Rust

Rust is named for the orange-brown powdery spores that coat grass blades.

Identification

• Orange, yellow, or brown pustules on grass blades
• Spores rub off on shoes and equipment
• Lawn has yellowish-orange cast
• Most common in late summer/early fall

Prevention

• Maintain adequate nitrogen fertility
• Water deeply to encourage growth
• Mow regularly to remove infected tissue
• Improve air circulation

Prevention Strategies That Work

Cultural Practices

Good cultural practices are your first line of defense: Proper Mowing

• Never remove more than 1/3 of grass blade
• Keep mower blades sharp
• Mow when grass is dry
• Vary mowing pattern

Smart Watering

• Water early morning (before 10 AM)
• Apply 1 inch per week
• Deep, infrequent watering beats frequent, light watering
• Adjust based on weather conditions

Appropriate Fertilization

• Follow soil test recommendations
• Use slow-release nitrogen sources
• Avoid excessive nitrogen in hot weather
• Maintain balanced nutrition

Environmental Management

Thatch Management

Excessive thatch (over 1/2 inch) creates ideal conditions for disease:

• Holds moisture near grass crowns
• Harbors fungal spores
• Prevents air circulation
• Reduces pesticide effectiveness

Core aeration and dethatching help manage thatch levels.

When to Seek Professional Help

Consider professional disease management when:

• You can't identify the problem
• DIY treatments haven't worked
• Large areas are affected
• Disease returns repeatedly
• You want preventive programs

"Prevention is always easier and less expensive than treating an established disease outbreak."

Wakem Lawn Care Disease Management

Our team is trained to identify and treat lawn diseases effectively. We offer:

• Disease diagnosis - Accurate identification of problems
• Curative treatments - Targeted applications when needed
• Preventive programs - Stop disease before it starts
• Cultural recommendations - Improve overall lawn health
• Ongoing monitoring - Catch problems early

Don't let lawn disease ruin your beautiful turf. Contact Wakem Lawn Care today for a free lawn evaluation and customized treatment plan!