Summer in Georgia is just around the corner, which means pool days, beach trips, and…Dollar Spot. That’s right, if you’ve ever noticed small, tan-colored patches in your Bermuda lawn during the warm summer months, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with a common lawn disease called Dollar Spot.
Named for its silver dollar-sized patches of dead grass, Dollar spot is one of the most prevalent fungal diseases affecting warm-season grasses like Bermuda. But what exactly causes it, and is there a way to treat it? Below is a quick breakdown of Dollar Spot and how you can keep your lawn healthy this summer from the lawn care experts at Nature’s Turf in Georgia.
What Causes Dollar Spot?
Much like any fungus, Dollar Spot thrives in a warm, moist environment. So, as nighttime temperatures rise in Georgia and your lawn starts holding onto more dew and moisture, it quickly becomes the perfect environment for a fungus called Clarireedia jacksonii (also known as Sclerotinia homoeocarpa)…a name that’s just as intense as the problem it causes!
As mentioned above, Dollar Spot often appears as small, circular, straw-colored spots that can merge together if left untreated, creating even larger patches of injured turf. Yet, outside of all of this, the biggest driver of dollar spot is poor lawn care practices.
Lawn Care Practices Are Your First Line of Defense
While fungicides can treat Dollar Spot, the best approach is prevention. And that starts with your day-to-day lawn care habits. At Nature’s Turf in Georgia, we always emphasize that healthy cultural practices create strong turf that can naturally resist disease.
In fact, we recently covered this exact topic in our new podcast, where we break down how simple and regular lawn care routines like proper mowing and watering can make a world of difference for your lawn’s health during the summer.
Turf Disease Treatments For Dollar Spot
While routine lawn care practices are the first line of defense for a disease like Dollar Spot, some yards are just more prone to Dollar Spot than others. While many factors can contribute to a lawn disease, if your yard consistently develops unsightly spots in unwanted areas year after year, it may be time to invest in a dedicated lawn disease program.
That’s where Nature’s Turf’s Bermuda Disease Program comes in. Designed specifically for situations like this, the program includes four scheduled applications that rotate the most effective fungicides available.
When paired with proper lawn care practices, this approach helps significantly reduce the occurrence of Dollar Spot. While total elimination isn’t always possible, since Dollar Spot is a living organism and conditions can be unpredictable, we’re committed to offering our lawn care clients in Georgia the strongest line of defense.
Experience The Nature’s Turf Difference
If Dollar Spot or other lawn diseases are taking over your yard, let the lawn care professionals at Nature’s Turf help. Our comprehensive lawn care programs are designed specifically for Georgia’s warm-season grasses, and we’ll work with you to create a plan that keeps your yard green, healthy, and disease-free, all summer long!
