Battling Bare Spots: Red Thread and Dollar Spots

Have you been noticing bare patches on your lawn during these hot summer months?

Do you know how to identify dollar spots and red thread?

Dollar spots and red thread are both fungal diseases that can leave your grass patchy and unhealthy. If you see either of these on your lawn, don’t worry—with a little knowledge and care, you can get your lawn back on track.

Here’s how to identify them: 

Dollar Spot: Look for circular patches, about the size of a dollar that turn light tan or brown with reddish-brown borders. This disease thrives in hot, dry weather on lawns lacking nitrogen.

Red Thread: This fungus is identified by pinkish-red, thread-like structures growing from the tips of infected blades, resembling tiny antlers. Patches can range from a few inches to several feet wide, with a mix of healthy and discolored grass. Red thread prefers cool, damp conditions and low nitrogen levels.

Both of these diseases love unbalanced lawns. The best guard against them is keeping up with preventative care:

Healthy Habits: Regular watering and proper mowing can make a big difference. Avoid cutting your grass too short when mowing. For tips on proper watering, see last month’s article on watering and fertilizing.

Feed Your Lawn: A soil test can reveal nutrient deficiencies. Ever So Green can perform one for you, then address any nutrient shortages with a balanced fertilizer to strengthen your grass.

Cultural Control: Aerate compacted soil to improve drainage, especially for red thread. Ever So Green can help with this as well.
Treatment Options: If prevention fails, fungicides can be a last resort. However, a healthy lawn is the best defense. By addressing underlying causes and creating an environment resistant to diseases, you can enjoy a beautiful green lawn all season long.

Need Help? Consult Professional Lawn Care in Howell!

When in doubt, if you’re unsure about what’s going on with your lawn, it’s always a safe bet to consult a lawn care professional. If you live in Livingston County, you’re in luck! Ever So Green is a Howell-based professional lawn care company that can help diagnose and treat your lawn issues. If you’re ready to get back to a lush green lawn, call (517) 540-100 or submit a contact form here.