Dollar spot
Small, round, bleached spots in the lawn about the size of a silver dollar, often merging into larger patches.
What you'll see
- Round, straw-colored or bleached spots 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 cm) across, which can merge.
- Grass blades with tan bands edged in reddish brown, often pinched like an hourglass.
- Fine, white, cobweb-like threads on the grass on dewy mornings.
Why it happens
A fungus that thrives with warm days, cool nights and long dew periods, from spring to autumn. Underfed, drought-stressed lawns with thick thatch are more prone.
How to fix it
- Water deeply in the early morning, not in the evening, so the grass is wet for less time.
- If the lawn is underfed, give a light nitrogen feed as the label says.
- Brush the dew off by dragging a hose or pole across the lawn in the morning.
- Mow at the right height with a sharp blade.
Keep it from coming back
- Choose newer grass varieties with better dollar spot tolerance.
- Feed based on a soil test, in several small feedings rather than one big one.
- Keep thatch thin and avoid drought stress.
Sources
General guidance, not a diagnosis. For valuable, edible or outdoor crops, check with a local extension service or plant expert. Use any product exactly as its label says, and keep children and pets away while it dries.