Dollar Spot

A very common lawn disease in the Illinois and Indiana area, Dollar Spot fungus is usually seen in the early and mid summer. Attacking many different types of grass, Dollar

 Spot is generally seen in the lawn as 1” – 7” small straw-looking circles, or the size and shape of a silver dollar. Dollar Spot is a common, yet very serious problem in most lawns. When your lawn if affected by Dollar Spot, if left untreated it can kill the lawn all the way to the roots, which will defiantly be noticeable damage.

How Did I get Dollar Spot?

Dollar Spot 2

The short answer is your grass type was susceptible to the disease, which is the case for many Ryegrasses and Buegrasses. The more detailed answer is this: The Dollar Spot fungus requires temperatures above 60 degrees to start growing, usually in the spring, but the damage doesn’t start to show until summer. The disease likes water and requires periods where the leaf of the grass is wet for long stretches at a time.

There are many factors that help the Dollar Spot fungus pick your lawn, these are just a few:

  • Heavy Thatch Layer (see Aeration)
  • Watering Often For Short Periods (see How To Water)
  • Heavy Dew At Night Sitting On The Lawn During Cool Nights
  • Lots Of Wet And Overcast Weather
  • Nutrient Or Nitrogen Deficiencies (see Fertilization)
  • Drought Stress
  • Poor Airflow Areas
  • High Humidity

What Does Dollar Spot Look Like?

The small straw-colored circles, usually 1”-7” are how Dollar Spot starts, but over time the circles can grow together to form large brown areas of turf. These large, uncontrolled areas of disease infested turf can cause serious damage to a lawn, especially if left untreated.  Another identifying sign is that the blade of grass affected by Dollar Spot also will have an hour-glass shaped spot on it. The spot will be the entire width of the blade and be tan with reddish brown on the top and bottom edge.

What Is The Treatment For Dollar Spot?

Suburban Landscaping has several fungicides to treat Dollar Spot, and our technicians will select the appropriate one for your lawn. Treatment is usually a liquid application of fungicide and often followed by a granular application of Nitrogen fertilizer, depending upon the situation.  If your grass type is susceptible to Dollar Spot, an annual application would be a recommendation. A spring preventative is also available for lawns with high susceptibility. In addition to the basic treatment, Suburban Landscaping also records and monitors the fungicide applied to your lawn, mainly because of Dollar Spots ability to become resistant to fungicides if used too often.

What Can I Do To Help?

Dollar Spot 1

The best thing you can do to help in controlling Dollar Spot in your lawn is to water correctly. Water you lawn no more than three days per week, twice if possible. Water heavy to saturate the root system to avoid the need to water more frequently. Monitoring your thatch level is also a good tip. A heavy thatch layer is a breeding ground for this disease and should be reduced to around one half inch.

Does Dollar Spot Come Back Every Year?

In susceptible grass types it can definitely come back every year, especially if left untreated. If untreated, the fungus can over-winter as dormant mycelium, or fungal growth, in the thatch lawyer or soil.

What Does Treatment Cost?

This depends on the size of your property of course. However, because of the cost of the fungicide, it usually is $95 or more. The best way to know is to call our office for and estimate or request a free quote online.

Testimonials

Sharon
2015-05-28, 10:01
My new landscaping is wonderful, I just love it! Thank you!
Mr. L. Brown
2014-08-02, 15:05
Al & Team,
A big thank you for you diligent work on our property, we are very happy with how our lawn and plants look. All of the residents here … read more
Davis Quint
2016-03-12, 03:07
I'm very happy with your company and the landscaping. nice work