Lawn Diseases

Many lawn diseases look similar. Brown Patch, Summer Patch, Necrotic Ring Spot.

Even drought stress, grub damage and pet injury are frequently misidentified.

Is Your Lawn Showing Brown, Thin, or Discolored Areas?

Michigan lawns can develop fungal diseases during cool, wet spring weather and hot, humid summer conditions. Proper identification is important because many lawn diseases look similar but require different management strategies.

Noble Control provides lawn disease diagnosis, treatment recommendations and preventative programs throughout Southeast Michigan.

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What Helps?

Proper Fertilization

  • Healthy turf is more resistant to disease pressure.

Proper Watering

  • Water deeply & infrequently, normally best in the morning depending on weather, turf and environment.

Mowing Practices

  • Avoid removing more than 1/3 of the grass blade at a time.

Reduce Soil Compaction

  • Aeration improves root development & overall turf health.

  • Soil conditioners can help to reduce soil compaction overtime.

  • Dollar Spot is one of Michigan's most common lawn diseases. It appears as small straw colored spots ranging from silver dollar size to several inches across.

    Signs & Symptoms

    • Small tan or straw colored spots

    • Bleached leaf blades

    • White web like growth during humid mornings

    Most Active

    • Late spring through fall

    • Warm days & cool nights

    • Heavy dew conditions

    Treatment

    • Improve fertility

    • Reduce prolonged leaf wetness

    • Fungicide applications when warranted

  • Red Thread is commonly seen during cool, wet periods in spring & early summer.

    Signs & Symptoms

    • Pink or reddish patches

    • This red thread like growth on grass blades

    Most Active

    • Spring

    • Cool, damp weather

    Treatment

    • Nitrogen correction

    • Improve turf vigor

    • Fungicide rarely needed in mild cases

  • Rust is a fungal disease that commonly appears in late summer and early fall when turf growth slows. Named for the orange to reddish brown spores that develop on grass blades and can easily rub off onto shoes, pets, or lawn equipment.

    Signs & Symptoms

    • Orange, yellow or rust colored ‘dust’ on grass blades

    • Orange staining on shoes, pant legs or mower wheels

    • Thinning or weakened turf

    • Lawn may appear dull yellow or bronze from afar

    Most Active

    • Late summer through fall

    • Cool nights and heavy dew

    • Periods of slow turf growth

    Risk Factors

    • Extended leaf wetness

    • Shaded areas

    • Stressed turf

    Treatment

    • Mow regularly and remove excessive growth

    • Improve air circulation where possible

    • Apply proper nitrogen to encourage growth

    • Avoid drought stress

    • Reduce prolonged leaf wetness

  • Snow Mold is a cold weather fungal disease that develops beneath prolonged snow cover or during cool, wet winter conditions. It becomes visible in early spring as snow recedes.

    Types of Snow Mold

    Gray (Typhula Blight)

    • Most common in Michigan

    • Gray or white appearance

    • Usually affects leaf tissue only of the grass

    • Turf often recovers naturally

    Pink

    • Salmon or pink colored fungal growth

    • Can infect crowns and roots of the grass

    • More damaging than Gray Snow Mold

    • Recovery may take longer

    Signs & Symptoms

    • Circular patches of matted grass

    • Gray, white, pink or tan fungal growth

    • Turf appears flattened and stuck together

    Most Active

    • Winter through early spring

    • Prolonged snow cover

    • Cold, wet conditions

    • Heavy snow on unfrozen ground

    Treatment

    • Light raking to improve airflow

    • Remove matted grass

    • Allow turf to dry naturally

    • Overseed damaged areas if necessary

    • Prevent heavy leaf accumulation or extremely tall grass over winter

    • Fungicides applied in the fall can help prevent but not normally called for

  • Anthracnose can affect stressed turf during both cool & hot weather periods.

    Signs & Symptoms

    • Yellowing & thinning turf

    • Irregular brown patches

    • Black fungal structures visible on leaf blades

    Risk Factors

    • Drought stress

    • Excessive traffic

    • Compacted soils

    Treatment

    • Stress reduction

    • Proper mowing practices

    • Fungicide programs when necessary

  • Fairy Ring is caused by soil fungi that create rings, arcs, mushrooms or dark green growth patterns.

    Signs & Symptoms

    • Circular patterns

    • Mushrooms

    • Dark green rings

    • Drought stressed grass within rings

    Treatment

    • Soil wetting agents

    • Aeration

    • Fungicide and cultural management

  • One of the most destructive diseases of Kentucky Bluegrass in Michigan.

    Signs & Symptoms

    • Circular patches 6 inches to several feet wide

    • “Frog eye” appearance

    • Severe summer thinning

    Most Active

    • July through September

    Treatment

    • Preventative fungicide programs

    • Reduced summer stress

    • Soil health improvements

  • Often confused with Summer Patch but typically develops more slowly & persists year after year.

    Signs & Symptoms

    • Rings & crescents of dead grass

    • Thinning turf

    • Recurring damage in same locations

    Treatment

    • Core aeration

    • Overseeding

    • Soil improvement

    • Long term management approach