How to Identify and Prevent Dollar Spot Lawn Disease in North Texas
If you’ve ever walked out onto your lawn and noticed small, bleached-looking spots scattered across your grass, you might be dealing with dollar spot – a common, relentless turf disease. When this is left untreated, it can quietly take over your lawn. At Green Top Lawn Care, our professional lawn care services are designed to diagnose and treat issues like dollar spot before they spread. Dollar spot is one of the most frustrating problems for homeowners who want to keep their lawn green, healthy, and disease-free.
What Is Dollar Spot?
Dollar spot is a common fungal lawn disease caused by the Clarireedia jacksonii fungus, and named for the silver dollar-sized spots it creates on grass blades. These patches can start small, but often merge into larger areas when conditions are right and the disease goes unchecked. This fungus thrives in warm humid weather, especially when grass stays damp overnight, making late spring through early fall the prime season for outbreaks.
How to Identify Dollar Spot and What Causes It
Dollar spot typically reveals itself as small, tan patches ranging from 1 to 3 inches in diameter, often with reddish-brown edges. These discolored spots are commonly found in clusters across the lawn and create a bleached appearance. Upon closer inspection you may notice hourglass-shaped lesions on individual grass blades. The affected areas can feel dry or brittle underfoot, especially in the early morning when dew is present. These symptoms often resemble other turfgrass diseases such as brown patch or leaf spot, making misdiagnosis a real possibility. However, the classic sign of dollar spot is its characteristic “silver dollar” shape – small, round patches that seem to multiply overnight.
Dollar spot thrives in lawns with low nitrogen, excess moisture from dew or overwatering, compacted soil, or thick thatch. Cutting grass too short can also increase the risk. The fungus also survives in plant debris, so without proper care it can stick around and just continue to spread. Along with dollar spot, under similar conditions other common lawn diseases like brown patch, rust and red thread can also take hold. Green Top Lawn Care specializes in identifying and treating these turf diseases with customized solutions to restore your lawn’s health and prevent future outbreaks.
Best Ways to Prevent Dollar Spot
Prevention starts with strong, healthy turf. Here’s how to reduce your risk of suffering from dollar spot.
- Fertilize Regularly – Underfed lawns are actually more vulnerable to disease. Use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer appropriate for your grass type. Not sure what your lawn needs? A professional soil test will give you the answer.
- Water Early – Water deeply but infrequently, and only in the early morning. Evening watering leaves grass wet overnight, which can invite fungal growth.
- Mow Smart – Keep your mower blades sharp and avoid cutting off more than one-third of the grass blade at a time. Mowing too short weakens grass and opens the door for disease.
- Reduce Thatch and Aerate – Dethatch and aerate your lawn regularly to improve airflow and allow moisture to evaporate more quickly.
Dollar Spot Lawn Disease Treatment
If prevention hasn’t been enough, treating dollar spot requires a targeted approach. Start by applying a fungicide specifically labeled for dollar spot – look for active ingredients like propiconazole, azoxystrobin or thiophanate-methyl. To avoid resistance, rotate between classes of fungicide and always follow the label instructions carefully. If you’re unsure about the right product or timing, it’s wise to consult an experienced lawn disease specialist. Keep in mind that fungicides alone won’t solve the problem if poor lawn care practices continue. Maintain a consistent fertilization schedule, improve airflow, and adjust watering habits to support long-term recovery. And if the disease keeps returning or spreads quickly, calling a pro can save time and effort. They can assess your lawn’s condition and apply more effective treatments as needed.
Get Help With Lawn Disease Control
While dollar spot is frustrating, it’s also quite manageable with the right approach. Whether you’re dealing with your first outbreak or an ongoing issue, professional lawn care services can help diagnose the problem and deliver targeted treatments that restore your grass to its full potential. Call (817) 684-4044 or request a free lawn disease control quote today.
