Spotty lawns or lawns with small patches of white to brown grass are called dollar spot disease. Depending on the stage of the disease, light tan streaks will appear on the grass leaf blade. Dollar spot comes from air borne fungi. Grass becomes more susceptible to dollar spot disease when the weather is more humid and the nights are dewy. Prevention is key in controlling this lawn disease. Properly fertilized turf-grass will usually not be harmed by dollar spot.
How To Control Your Spotty Lawn
- Proper Mowing Practices – Mow your lawn high. Lawns should be mowed at 3-1/2″ or higher.
- Water Correctly – Water your lawn in the morning and water deep. Your lawn should get 1-1/2 of water per week. Do not water more than 3x per week. Shut off sprinkler systems during periods of heavy rain. Do not water in the evening.
- Fertilization – Dollar spot disease will usually not permanently harm grass that is properly fertilized. Keep the grass growing. Proper watering & fertilization allows the affected lawn to grow out.
- Grass Seed – Use a grass seed blend that has resistance to dollar spot.
Additional treatment may be necessary in severe cases. Some lawns have problems with this lawn disease annually. When selecting seed, be sure to select a seed blend that has some resistance to dollar spot and other common turf problems. Contact Brookside Lawn Service for any further questions 888.701.LAWN.