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Noticed strange patches or discoloured areas appearing in your lawn? You're not alone. Lawn diseases are more common than many homeowners realise, and the good news is that most can be treated successfully once you know what you're dealing with.
In this guide, we'll look at one of the most common lawn diseases, explain why it happens, and share simple steps to help your lawn recover.
When it comes to lawn diseases, prevention is always the best cure. Before reaching for a fungicide, it's important to identify what's causing the problem in the first place.
Some of the most common causes include:
Healthy lawn care habits can often solve these issues before they become serious. Regular aeration helps improve soil health, removing excess thatch allows the lawn to breathe, watering deeply but less often encourages stronger roots, and using the right fertiliser keeps your lawn healthy and resilient.
After making these improvements, give your lawn around two weeks to respond. If the disease continues to spread or doesn't improve, it may be time to apply a fungicide such as Vacate which is available at our Farm's Lawn Store.
One of the most common fungal diseases is Dollar Spot.
As the name suggests, it appears as small, round patches of straw coloured or bleached grass that are roughly the size of a dollar coin. At first, the patches are small but left untreated, they can merge together to create much larger areas of damaged turf.
If you take a closer look at the individual grass blades, you'll often notice straw coloured lesions with reddish-brown edges. Another telltale sign is the appearance of fine, cobweb like threads across the lawn during cool, damp mornings. These are called mycelium and are produced by the fungus responsible for the disease.
Another common fungal disease to watch for is Grey Leaf Spot, which is most often seen in warm, humid weather. It appears as small brown spots that quickly develop into oval shaped grey lesions with dark brown or purple edges on the grass blades. As the disease progresses, the affected leaves wither and die, leaving the lawn looking thin and patchy.
Grey Leaf Spot is most common in lush, fast growing lawns that have received high levels of nitrogen fertiliser, especially during periods of extended rainfall or high humidity. To help prevent it, avoid over fertiliser, improve airflow around the lawn where possible, and water early in the morning so the grass has time to dry throughout the day.
If the disease is severe or continues to spread despite improving your lawn care practices, applying a suitable fungicide such as Vacate can help stop the fungus and allow your lawn to recover.
Brown Patch is one of the most common lawn diseases during warm, humid weather, especially after periods of heavy rain or when lawns stay damp overnight. It typically appears as circular patches of brown or tan grass that can range from a few centimetres to over a metre in diameter. In the early stages, you may notice a dark, water soaked ring around the edge of the patch, sometimes referred to as a "smoke ring", particuarly in the morning when dew is present.
Brown Patch is caused by a naturally occurring fungus that thrives in warm temperatures, high humidity, poor air circulation, and excessive moisture. Lawns that are overwatered, heavily fertilised with nitrogen, or have a thick layer of thatch are more susceptible to infection.
The best way to manage Brown Patch is by improving your lawn care practices. Water deeply but only when needed, and always water early in the morning so the grass has time to dry during the day. Regular aeration, reducing thatch, and maintaining a balanced fertilising program will also help create a healthier lawn that is less prone to disease.
If Brown Patch continues to spread after these improvements, a fungicide such as Vacate can help control the disease and prevent further damage.
If you're unsure whether your lawn has Brown Patch or another fungal issue, take a few clear photos and contact the friendly team at Rosemount Turf. They can help identify the problem and recommend the most effective treatment to get your lawn looking its best again.
