{"id":6043,"date":"2021-10-18T20:26:27","date_gmt":"2021-10-18T20:26:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?p=6043"},"modified":"2026-08-16T21:51:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T21:51:54","slug":"how-to-identify-and-treat-grass-fungus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-identify-and-treat-grass-fungus\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Identify and Treat Grass Fungus"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes has-medium-font-size\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Key takeaways<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>\u2022 <strong>Identify the disease<\/strong> before you treat it; the right fix depends on which fungus you have.<br>\u2022 <strong>Most lawn fungus<\/strong> is driven by excess moisture and stressed grass; fix those conditions first.<br>\u2022 <strong>Cultural fixes<\/strong> prevent and reverse most cases; reach for a fungicide only if the disease is spreading.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To treat grass fungus, first identify the disease, then fix what&#8217;s feeding it. That means watering early in the morning, mowing correctly, adjusting nitrogen, and improving drainage. Apply a fungicide only if the disease is active and spreading.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Grass fungus (also called lawn fungus or yard fungus) shows up as discolored patches, rings, spots on the blades, or as threadlike growth and powdery residue. But a healthy lawn can fight most fungal diseases on its own, especially with the right cultural practices.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;d rather hand the upkeep to someone else, Lawn Love&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/near-me\">local lawn care pros<\/a> can keep your lawn mowed, watered, and fed to help keep disease away.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-b3e7de56-6217-46e4-a1b4-f95882b1bded\" data-linktodivider=\"false\" data-showtext=\"show\" data-hidetext=\"hide\" data-scrolltype=\"auto\" data-enablesmoothscroll=\"false\" data-initiallyhideonmobile=\"false\" data-initiallyshow=\"true\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header\" style=\"text-align: left; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-title\" style=\"\">In this article:<\/div> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-extra-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-container ub_table-of-contents-1-column\"> \t\t\t\t<ul style=\"\"><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-identify-and-treat-grass-fungus\/#0-what-does-grass-fungus-look-like\" style=\"\">What does grass fungus look like?<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-identify-and-treat-grass-fungus\/#1-common-types-of-lawn-fungus-and-how-to-treat-each\" style=\"\">Common types of lawn fungus (and how to treat each)<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-identify-and-treat-grass-fungus\/#3-how-to-treat-grass-fungus\" style=\"\">How to treat grass fungus<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-identify-and-treat-grass-fungus\/#8-what-causes-grass-fungus\" style=\"\">What causes grass fungus?<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-identify-and-treat-grass-fungus\/#9-how-to-prevent-grass-fungus\" style=\"\">How to prevent grass fungus<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-identify-and-treat-grass-fungus\/#10-faqs\" style=\"\">FAQs<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 id=\"0-what-does-grass-fungus-look-like\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"what-does-grass-fungus-look-like\">What does grass fungus look like?<\/span><\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/gray-snow-mold.jpg\" alt=\"gray snow mold fungus on grass\" class=\"wp-image-18870\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/gray-snow-mold.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/gray-snow-mold-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/gray-snow-mold-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/gray-snow-mold-610x343.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gray snow mold on a lawn, leaving behind a cottony white fungal growth. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/lawnsciencesm\/30691880274\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kris Lord<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As Dr. Shaohui Wu, turfgrass health specialist at Ohio State University, explains: &#8220;If it&#8217;s caused by fungal diseases, there would be distinct markings or lesions on the leaf blades.&#8221;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Grass fungus usually appears as circular patches, rings, or irregular discolored areas (brown, tan, yellow, gray, or reddish), often with spots or lesions on individual blades. Some patches form a \u201cfrog-eye\u201d pattern, with the center remaining green.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You may also see white, cobweb-like threads (mycelium), greasy-looking patches, or a colored powder (white, grayish, or orange-red) that rubs off on your shoes.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;In the early morning, fungal mycelium can be present,&#8221; Wu adds.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not every brown patch is fungus, though. Here&#8217;s how to tell it apart from other common lawn problems:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Fungus:<\/strong> patches with spots or lesions on the blades, threads or powder, often ring-shaped; worst in warm, humid, or wet weather.<\/li>    <li><strong>Heat or drought stress:<\/strong> uniform browning with a bluish, hazy cast; bounces back with watering.<\/li>    <li><strong>Grubs:<\/strong> brown grass that feels spongy underfoot and lifts up like loose carpet because the roots are chewed off; peaks late summer.<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even when you spot surface symptoms, the real damage may already be deeper, says Dr. Phil Harmon, turfgrass pathologist at the University of Florida.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Yellowing and patches in the turf canopy tend to show up after the real damage below ground is done,&#8221; he says.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"1-common-types-of-lawn-fungus-and-how-to-treat-each\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"common-types-of-lawn-fungus-and-how-to-treat-each\">Common types of lawn fungus (and how to treat each)<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are 16 fungal diseases that cause most lawn problems in the U.S. The symptoms, conditions, and treatments below are based on information from university extension resources for both warm- and cool-season lawn diseases.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"2-lawn-fungus-identification-and-treatment\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"lawn-fungus-identification-and-treatment\">Lawn fungus identification and treatment<\/span><\/h3>   \n<table id=\"tablepress-31\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-31\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\"><strong>Disease<\/strong><\/th><th class=\"column-2\"><strong>What it looks like<\/strong><\/th><th class=\"column-3\"><strong>Thrives in<\/strong><\/th><th class=\"column-4\"><strong>How to treat<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-anthracnose\/\">Anthracnose<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Yellow-to-bronze patches; tiny black fruiting bodies on stems<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Hot, humid summers; low-fertility turf<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Azoxystrobin or propiconazole if severe<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-brown-patch\/\">Brown patch<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Brown circles, smoky ring, tan lesions<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Summer; warm nights >60 F; leaves wet for 10+ hrs.<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Azoxystrobin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-dollar-spot\/\">Dollar spot<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Silver-dollar-sized tan spots; white cobweb mycelium<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Spring through fall; low nitrogen; drought stress; heavy dew<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Propiconazole<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-is-fairy-ring-how-to-get-rid-of-it\/\">Fairy ring<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Dark-green or dead rings; mushrooms<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Spring through fall; buried organic matter; heavy thatch<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Aerate; add nitrogen to even color<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Gray leaf spot<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Diamond-shaped tan to gray spots; twisted tips<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Summer; hot, humid weather; high nitrogen; shade<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Azoxystrobin or propiconazole if severe<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-gray-snow-mold\/\">Gray snow mold<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Gray-white crusty patches after snowmelt<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Late fall to early spring; snow on unfrozen ground<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Rake to dry<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-8\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Large patch<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Yellow-orange circles; brown perimeter<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Fall and spring; cool, wet weather; excess nitrogen<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Azoxystrobin or propiconazole, fall preventive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-9\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-leaf-spot-and-melting-out\/\">Leaf spot\/melting-out<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Dark blade spots; thinning patches<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Cool, wet spring\/fall; mowing too low<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Fungicide if spreading<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-10\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-necrotic-ring-spot\/\">Necrotic ring spot<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Straw-colored grass rings; with green center<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Cool, wet; spring and fall compacted soil<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Propiconazole or azoxystrobin, spring preventive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-11\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-pink-snow-mold\/\">Pink snow mold<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Pink-tinged circular patches<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Late fall to early spring; cool, wet; snow cover<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Rake to dry; fungicide for severe cases<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-12\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-powdery-mildew-on-lawn\/\">Powdery mildew<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">White powdery coating<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Spring and fall; shade; poor airflow; humidity<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Fungicide rarely needed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-13\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Pythium blight<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Greasy patches; cottony mycelium at edges<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Hot, humid summer nights >70\u00b0F; wet leaves<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Mefenoxam or azoxystrobin, preventive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-14\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-red-thread\/\">Red thread<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Pink-to-red patches with red threadlike strands on blades<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Cool, wet spring\/fall weather; low nitrogen<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Add nitrogen; improve drainage; fungicide if severe<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-15\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-is-rust-in-lawn\/\">Rust<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Orange\/yellow powder on blades<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Late summer\/fall; low nitrogen; shade<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Fertilize; water in AM; mow regularly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-16\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Spring dead spot<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Circular, straw-colored patches; roots and stolons blackened and rotted<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Fall to spring as bermudagrass enters dormancy; cool soil temps; excess fall nitrogen; thatch<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Reduce fall nitrogen; aerate; dethatch; propiconazole or azoxystrobin preventively in fall<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-17\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-summer-patch\/\">Summer patch<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Yellow-to-bronze circles; may have frog-eye center<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Hot summers; compacted, wet soil<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">Aerate; water deeply; propiconazole or azoxystrobin preventively in spring<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<tfoot>\n<tr class=\"row-18\">\n\t<th colspan=\"4\" class=\"column-1\">Sources: Clemson Cooperative Extension, NC State Extension, Penn State Extension, University of California IPM, Utah State University Extension, University of Maryland Extension, University of Missouri Extension, Michigan State Extension, USGA<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tfoot>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-31 from cache -->    <h2 id=\"3-how-to-treat-grass-fungus\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"how-to-treat-grass-fungus\">How to treat grass fungus<\/span><\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"545\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/leaf-spot_800.jpg\" alt=\"Closeup of Leaf Spot on a Blade of Grass\" class=\"wp-image-9252\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/leaf-spot_800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/leaf-spot_800-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/leaf-spot_800-768x523.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/leaf-spot_800-610x416.jpg 610w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/leaf-spot_800-390x266.jpg 390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Narrow brown spot disease causes distinctive reddish-brown streaks along grass blades. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/narrow-brown-spot-disease-1243210204\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HelloDecember<\/a> \/ Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-treat-lawn-fungus\/\">Treating grass fungus<\/a> is a 4-step process: identify it, correct the cultural conditions, apply a fungicide if needed, then help the lawn recover.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 id=\"4-1-identify-the-disease\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"1-identify-the-disease\">1. Identify the disease<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Match your lawn symptoms to the information above. The correct treatment \u2014 especially the nitrogen and fungicide choices \u2014 depends on which disease you have.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"5-2-fix-the-cultural-conditions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"2-fix-the-cultural-conditions\">2. Fix the cultural conditions<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is where most cases are won. Fixing the conditions that feed the disease, including moisture, fertility, and airflow, often resolves the problem without chemicals.<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-long-should-water-lawn\/\">Water deeply and infrequently<\/a> between 5\u20139 a.m. so grass blades dry out during the day; avoid evening watering.<\/li>    <li>Mow at the <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-height-cut-grass\/\">recommended height<\/a> with sharp blades; never remove more than <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/one-third-rule-of-mowing\/\">one-third of the blade<\/a>.<\/li>    <li>Reduce thatch by <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-dethatch-lawn\/\">dethatching<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-aerate-lawn\/\">aerate<\/a> to break up soil compaction so water drains rather than sits on the soil surface.<\/li>    <li>Adjust nitrogen fertilizer rates based on the disease: ease off for brown patch; increase for dollar spot, red thread, and rust.<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wu emphasizes the importance of mowing hygiene.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSanitize mower blades with a 10% bleach solution or Lysol to avoid contaminating healthy plants, and replace blunt mower blades that can create more routes of entry for pathogens.\u201d<\/p>    <h3 id=\"6-3-apply-a-fungicide\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"3-apply-a-fungicide\">3. Apply a fungicide<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the tendency is to reach for chemical controls immediately, try to avoid using fungicides on your lawn unless necessary. Using them too frequently can cause pathogen resistance.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the disease is active and spreading, you\u2019ll want to apply fungicide to control it. Make sure to match the active ingredient in a fungicide product to the disease:&nbsp;<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Propiconazole works well on dollar spot<\/li>    <li>Azoxystrobin targets brown patch and large patch&nbsp;<\/li>    <li>Chlorothalonil is a broad contact option, but avoid it for summer patch, as it can worsen the disease.&nbsp;<\/li>    <li>For an organic route, look for <em>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens<\/em> (strain D747).&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Spot-treat the affected area rather than the whole lawn, and always follow the label directions.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Preventive application is especially important for recurring diseases. As Harmon notes: \u201cOnce large patch is diagnosed in a lawn, expect it to occur there again next year.&#8221;<\/p>    <h3 id=\"7-4-help-the-lawn-recover\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"4-help-the-lawn-recover\">4. Help the lawn recover<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once the disease is under control, overseed thin areas, maintain cultural practices from Step 2, and avoid over-fertilizing. Badly damaged lawns can take more than one season to fully bounce back.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"8-what-causes-grass-fungus\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"what-causes-grass-fungus\">What causes grass fungus?<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fungal spores are always present in soil. They only become a problem when conditions are favorable:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Prolonged leaf wetness from evening watering, poor drainage, or heavy dew<\/li>    <li>Heat and humidity, especially warm nights above 60 degrees F<\/li>    <li>Compacted soil and heavy thatch that trap moisture on the soil surface<\/li>    <li>Mowing too low or with dull blades, which stresses the grass<\/li>    <li>Too much or too little nitrogen, depending on the disease<\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 id=\"9-how-to-prevent-grass-fungus\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"how-to-prevent-grass-fungus\">How to prevent grass fungus<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prevention is the same set of cultural habits that treat it. Water deeply in the morning, mow at the recommended height with sharp blades, dethatch and aerate to improve airflow and drainage, fertilize on a balanced schedule, and clean up clippings and debris in disease-prone seasons.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A vigorous, well-maintained lawn rarely gives fungus a foothold.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"10-faqs\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"faqs\">FAQs<\/span><\/h2>    <div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1785801834676\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Will lawn fungus go away on its own?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Mild cases can fade once the weather dries out and you correct watering and mowing. But an active, spreading disease usually won&#8217;t disappear without intervention.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1785801844609\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Does grass fungus die in winter?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Cold slows most fungi down, but it doesn&#8217;t kill them. Spores overwinter in the soil and thatch and flare up again when warmth and moisture return. Snow mold is an exception and thrives under snow.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1785801855293\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Are there natural remedies for grass fungus?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Cultural fixes are the most effective natural treatment. An OMRI-listed biological fungicide (Bacillus-based) is a reliable low-toxicity option. Home remedies like baking soda or neem oil have limited, inconsistent results.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1785801872689\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can a lawn mower spread fungus?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. Wu advises homeowners to \u201cmow healthy turfgrass first and the infected area last, bagging infected clippings.\u201d Spores can travel on mower blades, so sanitize the deck between areas and clean it thoroughly after mowing.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1785801887730\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">When is the best time to apply fungicide?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Apply at the first sign of disease, or preventively just before high-risk weather. Reapply on the label&#8217;s interval (often every 14\u201328 days) while conditions stay favorable.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1785801898449\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can grass fungus spread to other plants?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Most turfgrass fungi are grass-specific and won&#8217;t infect your flowers, shrubs, or vegetables. They will spread across the lawn by wind, water, foot traffic, and mower blades, so contain it early.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1785801914346\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is grass fungus harmful to pets or humans?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The lawn fungi themselves are generally not dangerous to pets or people. The bigger caution is fungicides. Stay off treated areas until they&#8217;re dry, and follow all label safety instructions.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>    <h2 id=\"11-keep-your-lawn-healthy-and-disease-free\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"keep-your-lawn-healthy-and-disease-free\">Keep your lawn healthy and disease-free<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stopping grass fungus comes down to consistent, correct lawn care. Morning watering, the right mowing height, and optimal soil conditions take know-how and time you may not have.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;d rather leave it to someone who does this every day, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/near-me\">Lawn Love<\/a> makes it simple. Get an instant quote, pick a time, and a vetted local pro will handle the rest.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/near-me\"><strong>Get a free estimate near you \u2192<\/strong><\/a><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Main Image: Red thread disease spreads through a lawn, producing distinctive pink and coral fungal strands among bleached and dying grass blades. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/lawnsciencesm\/31579500936\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kris Lord<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Spot patches, rings, or threads in your lawn? Find out how to treat grass fungus by identifying the disease, cultural fixes, and when to use a fungicide.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":96,"featured_media":48056,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To treat grass fungus, first identify the disease, then fix what's feeding it. That means watering early in the morning, mowing correctly, adjusting nitrogen, and improving drainage. Apply a fungicide only if the disease is active and spreading.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Grass fungus (also called lawn fungus or yard fungus) shows up as discolored patches, rings, spots on the blades, or as threadlike growth and powdery residue. But a healthy lawn can fight most fungal diseases on its own, especially with the right cultural practices.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you'd rather hand the upkeep to someone else, Lawn Love's <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/near-me\">local lawn care pros<\/a> can keep your lawn mowed, watered, and fed to help keep disease away.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Key takeaways<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Identify the disease<\/strong> before you treat it; the right fix depends on which fungus you have.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Most lawn fungus<\/strong> is driven by excess moisture and stressed grass; fix those conditions first.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Cultural fixes<\/strong> prevent and reverse most cases; reach for a fungicide only if the disease is spreading.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In this article:<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1VCGgDfjESX6A8y5Dro83wABd4GHurJIy53JBJ09A1HI\/edit?tab=t.xfzqbte3784v#heading=h.ei3m2x6w6zcc\">What does grass fungus look like?<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1VCGgDfjESX6A8y5Dro83wABd4GHurJIy53JBJ09A1HI\/edit?tab=t.xfzqbte3784v#heading=h.xn59rfdqwujf\">Common types of lawn fungus (and how to treat each)<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1VCGgDfjESX6A8y5Dro83wABd4GHurJIy53JBJ09A1HI\/edit?tab=t.xfzqbte3784v#heading=h.8l9u497srna0\">How to treat grass fungus<\/a><!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1VCGgDfjESX6A8y5Dro83wABd4GHurJIy53JBJ09A1HI\/edit?tab=t.xfzqbte3784v#heading=h.nmi1igrx10th\">1. Identify the disease<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1VCGgDfjESX6A8y5Dro83wABd4GHurJIy53JBJ09A1HI\/edit?tab=t.xfzqbte3784v#heading=h.xiiv40rof55r\">2. Fix the cultural conditions<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1VCGgDfjESX6A8y5Dro83wABd4GHurJIy53JBJ09A1HI\/edit?tab=t.xfzqbte3784v#heading=h.tvr3vpu164s4\">3. Apply a fungicide (if active and spreading)<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1VCGgDfjESX6A8y5Dro83wABd4GHurJIy53JBJ09A1HI\/edit?tab=t.xfzqbte3784v#heading=h.swsumwos7x09\">4. Help the lawn recover<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list --><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1VCGgDfjESX6A8y5Dro83wABd4GHurJIy53JBJ09A1HI\/edit?tab=t.xfzqbte3784v#heading=h.23ulrlllyuwp\">What causes grass fungus?<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1VCGgDfjESX6A8y5Dro83wABd4GHurJIy53JBJ09A1HI\/edit?tab=t.xfzqbte3784v#heading=h.x28en3px9guk\">How to prevent grass fungus<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1VCGgDfjESX6A8y5Dro83wABd4GHurJIy53JBJ09A1HI\/edit?tab=t.xfzqbte3784v#heading=h.o1unc843mh70\">FAQs<\/a><\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What does grass fungus look like?<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>As Dr. Shaohui Wu, turfgrass health specialist at Ohio State University, explains: \"If it's caused by fungal diseases, there would be distinct markings or lesions on the leaf blades.\"<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Grass fungus usually appears as circular patches, rings, or irregular discolored areas (brown, tan, yellow, gray, or reddish), often with spots or lesions on individual blades. Some patches form a \u201cfrog-eye\u201d pattern, with the center remaining green.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You may also see white, cobweb-like threads (mycelium), greasy-looking patches, or a colored powder (white, grayish, or orange-red) that rubs off on your shoes.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\"In the early morning, fungal mycelium can be present,\" Wu adds.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Not every brown patch is fungus, though. Here's how to tell it apart from other common lawn problems:<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Fungus:<\/strong> patches with spots or lesions on the blades, threads or powder, often ring-shaped; worst in warm, humid, or wet weather.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Heat or drought stress:<\/strong> uniform browning with a bluish, hazy cast; bounces back with watering.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Grubs:<\/strong> brown grass that feels spongy underfoot and lifts up like loose carpet because the roots are chewed off; peaks late summer.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Even when you spot surface symptoms, the real damage may already be deeper, says Dr. Phil Harmon, turfgrass pathologist at the University of Florida.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\"Yellowing and patches in the turf canopy tend to show up after the real damage below ground is done,\" he says.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common types of lawn fungus (and how to treat each)<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>There are 16 fungal diseases that cause most lawn problems in the U.S. The symptoms, conditions, and treatments below are based on information from university extension resources for both warm- and cool-season lawn diseases.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lawn fungus identification and treatment<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:table -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Disease<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>What it looks like<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Thrives in<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>How to treat<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-anthracnose\/\">Anthracnose<\/a><\/td><td>Yellow-to-bronze patches; tiny black fruiting bodies on stems<\/td><td>Hot, humid summers; low-fertility turf<\/td><td>Azoxystrobin or propiconazole if severe<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-brown-patch\/\">Brown patch<\/a><\/td><td>Brown circles, smoky ring, tan lesions&nbsp;<\/td><td>Summer; warm nights &gt;60 F; leaves wet for 10+ hrs.<\/td><td>Azoxystrobin<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-dollar-spot\/\">Dollar spot<\/a><\/td><td>Silver-dollar-sized tan spots; white cobweb mycelium<\/td><td>Spring through fall; low nitrogen; drought stress; heavy dew<\/td><td>Propiconazole<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-is-fairy-ring-how-to-get-rid-of-it\/\">Fairy ring<\/a><\/td><td>Dark-green or dead rings; mushrooms<\/td><td>Spring through fall; buried organic matter; heavy thatch<\/td><td>Aerate; add nitrogen to even color<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Gray leaf spot<\/td><td>Diamond-shaped tan to gray spots; twisted tips<\/td><td>Summer; hot, humid weather; high nitrogen; shade<\/td><td>Azoxystrobin or propiconazole if severe<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-gray-snow-mold\/\">Gray snow mold<\/a><\/td><td>Gray-white crusty patches after snowmelt<\/td><td>Late fall to early spring; snow on unfrozen ground<\/td><td>Rake to dry<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Large patch<\/td><td>Yellow-orange circles; brown perimeter<\/td><td>Fall and spring; cool, wet weather; excess nitrogen<\/td><td>Azoxystrobin or propiconazole, fall preventive&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-leaf-spot-and-melting-out\/\">Leaf spot\/melting-out<\/a><\/td><td>Dark blade spots; thinning patches&nbsp;<\/td><td>Cool, wet spring\/fall; mowing too low<\/td><td>Fungicide if spreading&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-necrotic-ring-spot\/\">Necrotic ring spot<\/a><\/td><td>Straw-colored grass rings; with green center<\/td><td>Cool, wet; spring and fall compacted soil&nbsp;<\/td><td>Propiconazole or azoxystrobin, spring preventive&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-pink-snow-mold\/\">Pink snow mold<\/a><\/td><td>Pink-tinged circular patches&nbsp;<\/td><td>Late fall to early spring; cool, wet; snow cover&nbsp;<\/td><td>Rake to dry; fungicide for severe cases&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-powdery-mildew-on-lawn\/\">Powdery mildew<\/a><\/td><td>White powdery coating&nbsp;<\/td><td>Spring and fall; shade; poor airflow; humidity&nbsp;<\/td><td>Fungicide rarely needed<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pythium-blight\/\">Pythium blight<\/a><\/td><td>Greasy patches; cottony mycelium at edges&nbsp;<\/td><td>Hot, humid summer nights &gt;70\u00b0F; wet leaves&nbsp;<\/td><td>Mefenoxam or azoxystrobin, preventive&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-red-thread\/\">Red thread<\/a><\/td><td>Pink-to-red patches with red threadlike strands on blades<\/td><td>Cool, wet spring\/fall weather; low nitrogen<\/td><td>Add nitrogen; improve drainage; fungicide if severe<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-is-rust-in-lawn\/\">Rust<\/a><\/td><td>Orange\/yellow powder on blades<\/td><td>Late summer\/fall; low nitrogen; shade<\/td><td>Fertilize; water in AM; mow regularly<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Spring dead spot<\/td><td>Circular, straw-colored patches; roots and stolons blackened and rotted<\/td><td>Fall to spring as bermudagrass enters dormancy; cool soil temps; excess fall nitrogen; thatch<\/td><td>Reduce fall nitrogen; aerate; dethatch; propiconazole or azoxystrobin preventively in fall<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-summer-patch\/\">Summer patch<\/a><\/td><td>Yellow-to-bronze circles; may have frog-eye center<\/td><td>Hot summers; compacted, wet soil<\/td><td>Aerate; water deeply; propiconazole or azoxystrobin preventively in spring<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:table -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong><em>Sources:<\/em><\/strong><em> Clemson Cooperative Extension, NC State Extension, Penn State Extension, University of California IPM, Utah State University Extension, University of Maryland Extension, University of Missouri Extension, Michigan State Extension, USGA&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to treat grass fungus<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-treat-lawn-fungus\/\">Treating grass fungus<\/a> is a 4-step process: identify it, correct the cultural conditions, apply a fungicide if needed, then help the lawn recover.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Identify the disease<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Match your lawn symptoms to the information above. The correct treatment \u2014 especially the nitrogen and fungicide choices \u2014 depends on which disease you have.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Fix the cultural conditions<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This is where most cases are won. Fixing the conditions that feed the disease, including moisture, fertility, and airflow, often resolves the problem without chemicals.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-long-should-water-lawn\/\">Water deeply and infrequently<\/a> between 5\u20139 a.m. so grass blades dry out during the day; avoid evening watering.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Mow at the <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-height-cut-grass\/\">recommended height<\/a> with sharp blades; never remove more than <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/one-third-rule-of-mowing\/\">one-third of the blade<\/a>.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Reduce thatch by <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-dethatch-lawn\/\">dethatching<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-aerate-lawn\/\">aerate<\/a> to break up soil compaction so water drains rather than sits on the soil surface.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Adjust nitrogen fertilizer rates based on the disease: ease off for brown patch; increase for dollar spot, red thread, and rust.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Wu emphasizes the importance of mowing hygiene.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cSanitize mower blades with a 10% bleach solution or Lysol to avoid contaminating healthy plants, and replace blunt mower blades that can create more routes of entry for pathogens.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Apply a fungicide<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>While the tendency is to reach for chemical controls immediately, try to avoid using fungicides on your lawn unless necessary. Using them too frequently can cause pathogen resistance.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If the disease is active and spreading, you\u2019ll want to apply fungicide to control it. Make sure to match the active ingredient in a fungicide product to the disease:&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Propiconazole works well on dollar spot<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Azoxystrobin targets brown patch and large patch&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Chlorothalonil is a broad contact option, but avoid it for summer patch, as it can worsen the disease.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>For an organic route, look for <em>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens<\/em> (strain D747).&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Spot-treat the affected area rather than the whole lawn, and always follow the label directions.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Preventive application is especially important for recurring diseases. As Harmon notes: \u201cOnce large patch is diagnosed in a lawn, expect it to occur there again next year.\"<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Help the lawn recover<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Once the disease is under control, overseed thin areas, maintain cultural practices from Step 2, and avoid over-fertilizing. Badly damaged lawns can take more than one season to fully bounce back.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What causes grass fungus?<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Fungal spores are always present in soil. They only become a problem when conditions are favorable:<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Prolonged leaf wetness from evening watering, poor drainage, or heavy dew<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Heat and humidity, especially warm nights above 60 degrees F<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Compacted soil and heavy thatch that trap moisture on the soil surface<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Mowing too low or with dull blades, which stresses the grass<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Too much or too little nitrogen, depending on the disease<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to prevent grass fungus<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Prevention is the same set of cultural habits that treat it. Water deeply in the morning, mow at the recommended height with sharp blades, dethatch and aerate to improve airflow and drainage, fertilize on a balanced schedule, and clean up clippings and debris in disease-prone seasons.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A vigorous, well-maintained lawn rarely gives fungus a foothold.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQs<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Will lawn fungus go away on its own?<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Mild cases can fade once the weather dries out and you correct watering and mowing. But an active, spreading disease usually won't disappear without intervention.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does grass fungus die in winter?<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Cold slows most fungi down, but it doesn't kill them. Spores overwinter in the soil and thatch and flare up again when warmth and moisture return. Snow mold is an exception and thrives under snow.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there natural remedies for grass fungus?<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Cultural fixes are the most effective natural treatment. An OMRI-listed biological fungicide (Bacillus-based) is a reliable low-toxicity option. Home remedies like baking soda or neem oil have limited, inconsistent results.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can a lawn mower spread fungus?<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Yes. Wu advises homeowners to \u201cmow healthy turfgrass first and the infected area last, bagging infected clippings.\u201d Spores can travel on mower blades, so sanitize the deck between areas and clean it thoroughly after mowing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When is the best time to apply fungicide?<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Apply at the first sign of disease, or preventively just before high-risk weather. Reapply on the label's interval (often every 14\u201328 days) while conditions stay favorable.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can grass fungus spread to other plants?<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Most turfgrass fungi are grass-specific and won't infect your flowers, shrubs, or vegetables. They will spread across the lawn by wind, water, foot traffic, and mower blades, so contain it early.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is grass fungus harmful to pets or humans?<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The lawn fungi themselves are generally not dangerous to pets or people. The bigger caution is fungicides. Stay off treated areas until they're dry, and follow all label safety instructions.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Keep your lawn healthy and disease-free<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Stopping grass fungus comes down to consistent, correct lawn care. Morning watering, the right mowing height, and optimal soil conditions take know-how and time you may not have.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you'd rather leave it to someone who does this every day, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/near-me\">Lawn Love<\/a> makes it simple. Get an instant quote, pick a time, and a vetted local pro will handle the rest.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/near-me\"><strong>Get a free estimate near you \u2192<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":18868,\"width\":\"800px\",\"height\":\"600px\",\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/rsz_11824897325_29998b74c1_h-1024x768-1.jpg\" alt=\"Leaves affected with Anthracnose\" class=\"wp-image-18868\" style=\"width:800px;height:600px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/scotnelson\/11824897325\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Scot Nelson<\/a> | Flickr | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/publicdomain\/zero\/1.0\/\">CC0 1.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":6263,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_31561041956_69ea6ecf53_c.jpg\" alt=\"circular brown spot on grass, with brown spots surrounding\" class=\"wp-image-6263\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/lawnsciencesm\/31561041956\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kris Lord<\/a> | Flickr | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":10099,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/15489837762_0b9ab08177_c.jpg\" alt=\"Dollar spot on Bermudagrass\" class=\"wp-image-10099\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dollar Spot <br><a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/pAMt7j\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scot Nelson<\/a> | Flickr | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/publicdomain\/zero\/1.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Public domain<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":10478,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/5684256395_9dac5beb8c_c-1-800.jpg\" alt=\"Fairy ring\" class=\"wp-image-10478\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fairy ring<br><a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/9EiioB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scot Nelson<\/a> | Flickr | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/publicdomain\/zero\/1.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Public domain<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":18870,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/gray-snow-mold.jpg\" alt=\"gray snow mold fungus on grass\" class=\"wp-image-18870\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/lawnsciencesm\/30691880274\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kris Lord<\/a> |&nbsp;Flickr&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":9252,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/leaf-spot_800.jpg\" alt=\"Closeup of Leaf Spot on a Blade of Grass\" class=\"wp-image-9252\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Leaf Spot | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/narrow-brown-spot-disease-1243210204\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shutterstock<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":10380,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/pink-snow-mold_800.jpg\" alt=\"Pink snow mold\" class=\"wp-image-10380\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pink snow mold <br><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Sn%C3%B8mugg.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bevegelsesmengde<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":10549,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Barley_Powdery_Mildew_-_Blumeria_graminis_on_Rough_Bluegrass_-_Poa_trivialis_41437190695-800.jpeg\" alt=\"Powdery mildew\" class=\"wp-image-10549\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Powdery mildew<br> <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Barley_Powdery_Mildew_-_Blumeria_graminis_on_Rough_Bluegrass_-_Poa_trivialis_(41437190695).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bj\u00f6rn S<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":13059,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/red_thread.jpg\" alt=\"red_thread\" class=\"wp-image-13059\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/lawnsciencesm\/31579500936\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kris Lord<\/a> | Flickr | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":18872,\"width\":\"800px\",\"height\":\"450px\",\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Rust-lawn-disease.jpg\" alt=\"Rust lawn disease\" class=\"wp-image-18872\" style=\"width:800px;height:450px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.turffiles.ncsu.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NC State Cooperative Extension<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"anchor\":\"11-how-to-prevent-grass-fungus-in-the-lawn\"} -->\n<h2 id=\"11-how-to-prevent-grass-fungus-in-the-lawn\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to prevent grass fungus in the lawn<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In general, the best treatment is to improve your lawn care practices. Putting specific cultural routines in place and enhancing lawn maintenance makes the environment less hospitable for the fungus.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>A fungicide may help control severe infestations, but it\u2019s not always the best treatment method. Fungicides typically prove most effective when you apply them as a preventative measure.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For natural fungicide solutions that are safer for the environment, try using treatments such as:<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Neem oil: <\/strong>Combine 4 tablespoons of neem oil with 5 liters of water. Spray onto the fungus infection every few days until the infection is gone.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Water and baking soda: <\/strong>Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 5 liters of water. The solution should be applied to your lawn every 3 days until the fungus is gone.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Compost tea: <\/strong>Mix 4 cups of <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/effective-homemade-fertilizers-for-your-lawn\/#6-compost-tea\">compost tea<\/a> in a gallon of water. Treat your lawn with the mixture in the early morning every 2-4 weeks.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>As much as you want to skip <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/the-best-way-to-remove-leaves-from-your-yard\/\">removing autumn leaves<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-aerate-your-lawn-2\/\">aerating the lawn<\/a> this year, you might want to think twice before you ignore the lawn.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Here are 15 <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/lawn-care-the-best-treatments-you-can-do-for-your-lawn\/\">lawn care treatments<\/a> homeowners can do to help nourish a vigorous lawn that\u2019s resistant to disease:&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"ordered\":true} -->\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Remove leaves and other debris from the lawn. <\/strong>Otherwise, diseases overwinter in debris and take hold of your grass in spring.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Mow the grass regularly. <\/strong>Letting your grass grow too tall will create a hospitable environment for disease. Be careful not to cut the grass too short.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Leave behind <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/landscaping-grass-clippings\/\"><strong>grass clippings<\/strong><\/a><strong>. <\/strong>Grass clippings act as mulch by locking in moisture and adding healthy nutrients to the soil. Keep in mind that if a disease is already infecting your lawn, you\u2019ll want to remove grass clippings so that the fungus doesn\u2019t spread.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Perform<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/the-best-time-of-the-day-to-water-your-lawn\/\"><strong> <\/strong><\/a><strong>proper irrigation practices.<\/strong> Watering for long periods less often is healthier for your lawn than watering for frequent, short periods. To help keep out fungus, the best time of day to <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/the-best-time-of-the-day-to-water-your-lawn\/\">water your turf is in the<\/a> early morning before 10 a.m.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Invest in a <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/landscaping-choosing-right-sprinkler\/\"><strong>sprinkler system<\/strong><\/a><strong>. <\/strong>Most lawns need 1 to 1\u00bd inches of water a week during the summer. A well-watered lawn is important for keeping fungal diseases away from your yard. An automatic sprinkler system will turn on without you ever having to lift a finger.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Grow a disease-resistant type of grass that\u2019s suitable for your lawn. <\/strong>Talk to a lawn care professional about the best turf for your lawn and which cultivars are most resistant to the common fungal diseases where you live.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Test your soil and add amendments.<\/strong> You can\u2019t have healthy turf if the soil it grows in is poor. Test your soil\u2019s health so you can determine the best way to improve it.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Fertilize your grass.<\/strong> Just like you need food to grow, so does your grass.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Aerate the soil. <\/strong>Aeration relieves compacted soil by creating small holes in the ground. The holes allow water, oxygen, and nutrients to reach the roots.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Remove thatch. <\/strong>Thatch is the buildup of dead organic matter that accumulates between the soil layer and turf. Fungus loves to live in thatch. Remove thatch when the layer reaches \u00bd inch or more.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Overseed the lawn. <\/strong>Help prevent your yard from thinning by <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/blog-landscaping-overseeding\/\">overseeding the lawn<\/a> once a year. It\u2019s a good idea to overseed with a disease-resistant cultivar.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Remove existing weeds.<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/landscaping-how-to-deal-with-overgrown-weeds\/\">Overgrown weeds<\/a> compete with your turf for space, light, moisture, and nutrients. A severe weed invasion can weaken your turf and make it vulnerable to pests and disease.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Apply pre-emergent herbicide. <\/strong>You can help prevent weeds from popping up by applying a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/lawn-care-pre-emergent-herbicides-how-when-to-apply\/\">pre-emergent herbicide<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Control grubs and other pests. <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pest-control-how-to-get-rid-of-grubs-in-lawn\/\">Lawn grubs<\/a> are a big pest that is often found in yards. They weaken your turf by feeding on the lawn\u2019s root system.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Spread a \u00bd-inch layer of compost across the lawn. <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/green-ideas-composting-101\/\">Backyard compost<\/a> is a nutritious soil amendment. You can spread the compost with a rake or brew a<a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/effective-homemade-fertilizers-for-your-lawn\/\"> <\/a>compost tea.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ol>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Chemical control: <\/strong>If your lawn has a history of fungal disease, then applying chemical fungicides as a preventative measure can prove effective.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"anchor\":\"12-faq-about-grass-fungus\"} -->\n<h2 id=\"12-faq-about-grass-fungus\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQ about grass fungus<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"anchor\":\"13-will-lawn-fungus-go-away-on-its-own\"} -->\n<h3 id=\"13-will-lawn-fungus-go-away-on-its-own\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Will lawn fungus go away on its own?<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>An infestation\u2019s severity may weaken when the temperature or weather changes, but a fungal disease won\u2019t leave your lawn alone without the proper treatment. If left untreated, the infection may spread or kill your turf.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"anchor\":\"14-can-i-treat-lawn-fungus-with-a-fungicide\"} -->\n<h3 id=\"14-can-i-treat-lawn-fungus-with-a-fungicide\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I treat lawn fungus with a fungicide?<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Depending on the disease, a licensed professional can treat a fungal disease if the infestation is severe. Fungicides are more effective as fungus control when used as a preventative treatment. The best curative treatment for fungus is implementing good lawn care practices.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"anchor\":\"15-what-if-i-can%E2%80%99t-identify-the-fungus\"} -->\n<h3 id=\"15-what-if-i-can%E2%80%99t-identify-the-fungus\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What if I can\u2019t identify the fungus?<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Some lawn diseases are challenging to identify. In many cases, their symptoms may mimic turf injuries (such as drought or stress) or the symptoms of other lawn diseases. To determine the best treatment method for your lawn, you must know the disease you\u2019re up against.<br><br>If you need assistance with identification, contact a diagnostics lab or a turfgrass pathology lab. These labs specialize in the accurate diagnosis of turfgrass disease and are typically located at state universities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"anchor\":\"16-consider-all-your-treatment-options\"} -->\n<h2 id=\"16-consider-all-your-treatment-options\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Consider all your treatment options<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>From mowing to aeration, treating fungal disease is hard work. Not only do you need to fertilize and irrigate the lawn to treat a disease, but you also need to perform proper maintenance year-round to ensure an infestation doesn\u2019t reoccur.&nbsp;Take the load off your shoulders and hire a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/\">local lawn care professional<\/a>. Hand the to-do list over to a pro so you can focus on the people, goals, and hobbies that matter to you most. Don\u2019t let fungus, a spore-producing organism that\u2019s anything but fun, steal your time and energy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Main Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/skuds\/1505509407\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Andrew Skudder<\/a> | Flickr | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[126],"tags":[226],"class_list":["post-6043","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lawn-care-tips","tag-lawn-care-tips"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/31579500936_4e823ec98b_k-1.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Amanda Shiffler","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/amanda-shiffler\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6043","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/96"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6043"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6043\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":48426,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6043\/revisions\/48426"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48056"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6043"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6043"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6043"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}