Grass in North Texas is prone to getting lawn diseases. This is due to our hot and humid weather conditions, which can cause grass fungus to grow and spread.
We know that lawn diseases can be a major source of frustration for North Texas homeowners. They can pop up seemingly overnight and spread rapidly. One day your lawn might look great and the next you might not like what you see.
Most homeowners also don’t know anything about lawn disease identification or what steps to take in order to mitigate the problem. This can leave people feeling stressed and confused.
That’s why we’re talking about some of the most common lawn diseases, how to spot them, and what to do next. We want to help set you up for success if you’re worried about lawn diseases.
In this article, we will cover:
Common lawn diseases in North Texas
Lawn disease identification
How to avoid making grass fungus worse
Investing in lawn care services in North Texas
We know that lawns can feel complicated and that you might have the burden of figuring it all out yourself. But it doesn’t have to be that way! We are here to help you achieve lawn care greatness and feel good about showing your property off.
Extreme heat, limited rainfall, and rising humidity—all quite common in Northern Texas—can be the recipe for lawn diseases to start growing. Identifying what type of lawn disease you’re dealing with is a first step in pursuing the best course of action.
The three lawn diseases that we see most often in our region include:
People often worry that a grass fungus means their lawn is unhealthy. But the truth is, all lawns can wind up getting a lawn disease…even if you’re doing “all the right things.”
It’s true that a healthy lawn is going to be able to fend off problems better than an unhealthy one. But sometimes all of the conditions are right, and grass fungus simply takes hold.
The good news is that there are solutions. It all starts with figuring out what’s going on in your lawn.
Let’s talk about lawn disease identification and how to tell these three problems apart.
One of the reasons that grass fungus can be difficult to diagnose is that it can mimic other problems. Lawn disease often causes a lawn to turn colors (usually yellow or brown), but other lawn problems can do this as well.
The answer to identifying Brown Patch is in its name. This disease pops up as brown, circular patches on the lawn. The disease may start as small circles but will grow outward as it spreads.
The size of the circles may range from a few inches in diameter to several feet. Unfortunately, Brown Patch can move fast and be highly destructive, killing large areas of your turf.
Of course, this grass fungus is not the only possible culprit of brown patches in the yard. Other lawn problems like surface-feeding insect damage or even drought damage can also lead to brown spots.
One way to tell the difference is that Brown Patch fungus typically causes more circular (or semi-circular) patches whereas insect damage is often more irregular in shape (in areas where the bugs have fed).
Similarly, drought damage often tends to show up in more irregular shapes and is also often accompanied by wilting or curling grass blades.
Even so, we realize these nuances can be subtle which is why you might want to allow a lawn care professional to diagnose lawn problems for you.
This is another grass fungus with diagnosis clues in its name.
Named for the small, silver-dollar-sized circles that this disease causes, Dollar Spot can start out small (a few spots here or there) but spread rapidly. In fact, as the disease spreads, the small circles may even begin to run together, producing large areas of dead turf. In later stages (as patches grow together), homeowners might have a difficult time telling Dollar Spot apart from another grass fungus.
Dollar Spot normally appears on lawns with low moisture and poor fertility, so if your grass is dehydrated or not consistently mowed it may be vulnerable. However, even healthy turf can be plagued with disease when the conditions favor it.
Summer Patch is another disease characterized by brown patches. These are usually more irregular in nature than those of Brown Patch disease.
It often forms on lawns that are very sunny or hot, hence its name. Though it may start small, Summer Patch often moves fast and can destroy your entire lawn, rotting the grass down to the soil. The condition of the roots are typically a main clue that a lawn has Summer Patch, as opposed to something else.
But this is another situation where you may need a lawn care professional to diagnose exactly what’s going on.
While it’s true that even healthy lawns can be subject to problems with grass fungus, there are certain things that you can do to exacerbate a problem. Namely, you want to make sure you are careful when it comes to fertilizing and watering.
Because diseased grass often mimics under-watered grass (by looking yellowish or brown), watering is often one of the first things homeowners do when they spot these symptoms. Unfortunately, overwatering the lawn can actually make a fungal problem much worse.
Before watering, start by sticking a finger in the soil and seeing if you notice moisture. If you do, and your grass is looking yellow or brown, chances are it’s probably a fungus causing the discoloration. Don’t water your lawn. Instead, call your lawn care provider and let them know what you’re seeing so that they can make appropriate recommendations.
Of course, your watering habits can also play a role in potentially preventing fungal diseases in the first place.
In general, when it comes to watering, it’s recommended that you water your lawn in the early morning as opposed to nighttime. This gives the sun time to dry your lawn out. When you water in the evening hours, the water sits on your lawn and creates a habitat that can breed fungal growth.
The big idea is to not over-water, just give your lawn the right amounts at the right times.
Fertilization is an important service that is vital to your lawn’s overall health. It supplies much-needed nutrients that contribute to the lawn's overall thickness, color, and health.
But extra care should be taken during the summer months to avoid over-fertilizing. Improper or excessive fertilizing (especially with a product containing high nitrogen) can make a grass fungus problem worse.
In addition, if a known grass fungus problem is diagnosed, backing off of fertilization is warranted to avoid accelerating the fungus’ growth.
Like a lot of homeowners in North Texas, you want to feel proud of your lawn. We know that lawn diseases can stand in the way of that. This is why it’s important to consider investing in professional lawn care services.
While you could tackle lawn care on your own, there are a lot of downsides to the DIY route that can make it problematic. People tend to underestimate how much is involved in taking care of their turf and then wind up unsatisfied with the results.
But you must also do your due diligence in selecting a lawn care provider. When it comes to having the best lawn on the block, your choice in lawn care companies can make a big difference. Choosing the best lawn care program, that encompasses everything your lawn needs, is going to have a direct impact on your results.
Don’t choose a lawn care company that cuts corners for a slightly cheaper price!
Of course, when you hire a lawn care company, you’re also getting expert eyes on your property. That means they can help you diagnose lawn problems and get the proper solutions in place.
As we’ve said, many lawn problems mimic one another and making that proper diagnosis can be challenging. But a lawn care professional will have the experience and know-how to figure out what’s going on and put actionable plans in place.
If you’re serious about getting the best-looking lawn on the block then it would benefit you to put some thought and research into the company that you choose. This will help you feel confident that you are truly set up for lawn care success.
This takes the worry out of your hands and only leaves you with the benefits—a fantastic-looking lawn.
Get a Free Quote, then you can enjoy the best lawn on the block!
Image sources: summer patch, brown patch, dollar spot
