3 Common Lawn Diseases in Georgia to Lookout for This Summer

If you want to keep your lawn in tip-top shape, then it’s essential to stay vigilant and act as soon as you see the first signs of a lawn disease. Many of these diseases may seem innocuous at first as they only affect small areas, but if left unchecked, you risk jeopardizing your entire lawn’s health as these diseases continue to spread. That’s why you need to look out for these three common diseases in Georgia this summer: summer patch, brown patch, and necrotic ring spot. Summer is already a stressful time for many lawns, and these diseases can make it much harder for your lawn to survive. By knowing how to identify these diseases and what you can do to treat them, you can help get your lawn through the summer season!

1. Summer Patch

The first summer lawn disease you should be on the lookout for is summer patch. Summer patch can be identified by circular patches or rings on your turf. Typically, these patches will range anywhere from 6 inches to 3 feet in diameter, and the grass within these patches will either be yellow or straw brown before eventually collapsing. As the disease progresses, the roots will also turn black and rot. Summer patch starts showing up when soil temperatures reach a consistent 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat, drought stress, and nutrient deficiencies are the main contributing factors to summer patch disease, which is why you’ll normally see it in the summer. If you notice this disease spring up on your lawn, then your best bet is to schedule a curative treatment with a lawn care professional!

2. Brown Patch

The symptoms of brown patch can vary greatly depending on the type of grass and soil conditions. The disease will typically appear on your lawn as thinned, roughly circular patches of brown grass. Usually, the turf in the center will recover, leading to a ring-shaped pattern of dead grass. Symptoms of brown patch will show up during the late spring, but they will persist through the summer as this disease is most severe during periods of hot, humid weather. Things like poor soil drainage, lack of air movement, and overwatering can also increase the severity of brown patch. Fungicides are an effective way to control brown patch on your lawn, so sign up for curative treatments to help eliminate this lawn disease.

3. Necrotic Ring Spot

Symptoms of necrotic ring spot first appear as small patches of light green or straw-colored grass ranging anywhere from 6 inches to 1 foot in diameter. As the disease progresses, the turf in the center of the patch will begin to recover while the outer area will remain dead, giving the disease its ring-like appearance. Initial outbreaks of necrotic ring spot typically occur during cooler, wet weather found in either the spring or fall. However, these symptoms commonly intensify in late July or August during periods of summer stress. Curative treatments need to be applied by a lawn care professional and drenched into the soil before they start drying on the foliage. Multiple applications may be necessary for lawns that are severely damaged.

Call us today to sign up for our full-service lawn maintenance program!

Keep your lawn safe this summer from these common lawn diseases with our lawn disease treatments. At Bloom’n Gardens Landscape, we offer these treatments as a part of our lawn maintenance package. Not only will we keep your grass safe from pests and diseases, but our lawn care professionals will ensure that your turf always remains in pristine condition. We service commercial, HOA, and residential properties in Atlanta, Buckhead, Smyrna, and nearby areas in Georgia. Call us today at (404) 314-1474 to sign up for our full-service lawn maintenance program!