Article Source: Woodlands Water
Take-All Patch
Appearance
- Yellowing of the grass & darkening of the roots
- Thinning of the turf in irregular shapes
Causes
- Spreads during other seasons due to too much moisture or overly alkaline soil
- Shows in summer due to heat and compaction
Prevention & Treatment
- Maintain good drainage and raise mowing height
- Avoid overfertilization & broadleaf herbicides
- Use appropriate fungicides in the affected area to slow down development
Brown Patch
Appearance
- Thin, circular patterns of dead grass
- Affected grass browns and breaks off from runners
Causes
- Frequent irrigation & excessive fertilization
Prevention & Treatment
- Avoid overfertilization or overwatering
- Aerate lawn once a year
- Apply appropriate fungicide to affected area
Dollar Spot
Appearance
- At first circular areas of tan grass about the size of a silver dollar
- Eventually spreads and merges with other spots
Causes
- Overwatering & underfeeding
- Mowing too closely
Prevention & Treatment
- Raise mowing height to 3-4 inches
- Water deeply but infrequently
- Apply appropriate fungicide to affected area to prevent further spread and damage
Rust
Appearance
- At first orange to reddish-brown flecks that form on grass blades
- Eventually blades to brown or black, and eventually yellow, at which point the blades start to wither and die
Causes
- Drought
- Low nitrogen
Prevention & Treatment
- Usually goes away on its own, and treatment is seldom recommended
- Water normal and mow regularly
- Maintain nitrogen levels
Summer Patch
Appearance
- Starts as a small crescent-shaped cluster, can quickly devastate entire lawn
Causes
- Drought
- Low nitrogen
Prevention & Treatment
- Roots begin to rot in early May, but symptoms don’t appear until June or July, making prevention crucial
- Apply appropriate fungicide to affected area to prevent further spread
