Summer might bring sunshine, BBQs, and backyard fun—but for your lawn, it’s also prime time for fungal disease. Warm temperatures, high humidity, and frequent rain create the perfect breeding ground for turf fungi. If you're noticing odd discoloration, thinning, or patchy spots in your lawn, a fungal infection could be to blame.
Let’s break down the most common summer lawn diseases—Brown Patch, Dollar Spot, and Large Patch—how to identify them, which types of grass they target, and what you can do to protect your turf.
What it looks like:
Circular patches of brown, tan, or yellow grass
Rings often have a darker outline (“smoke ring”)
Affected areas can be a few inches to several feet wide
When it strikes:
Warm, humid nights (typically above 65°F at night)
Often shows up in overwatered lawns
Grass types affected:
Tall Fescue
Can occasionally affect Bermuda and Zoysia in humid conditions
What to do:
Water deeply but less frequently—always in the early morning
What it looks like:
Small, silver-dollar-sized patches of tan or bleached grass
Can merge into larger dead spots if left untreated
Grass blades often have hourglass-shaped lesions
When it strikes:
Cool nights and warm days—especially during periods of dew or overwatering
Frequently found in underfed lawns with low nitrogen
Grass types affected:
Bermuda
Zoysia
Tall Fescue
What to do:
Mow regularly, but don’t cut too short
Feed your lawn with a balanced fertilizer
Call in a professional for targeted fungicide treatments
What it looks like:
Large, circular patches of orange, tan, or brown grass
Often starts small and rapidly expands outward
Grass may look sunken or matted, especially along the edges
When it strikes:
Most active during spring and fall, but symptoms often appear or worsen in summer
Triggered by cool nights, excess moisture, or poor drainage
Grass types affected:
Zoysia (most common and severe)
St. Augustine
Bermuda (less frequently and less severely)
What to do:
Avoid overwatering and watering in the evening
Maintain proper mowing height and sharp mower blades
Schedule fungicide treatments before outbreaks begin and at the first sign of symptoms
The best way to handle summer fungus? Stop it before it starts. Here’s how:
Water wisely: Early morning only, amount based on your grass type
Mow properly: Keep blades sharp and avoid scalping the lawn
Feed your lawn: Top Turf's Fertilization and Weed Control Program keeps your lawn fed and healthy
Improve air circulation: Aerate dense lawns at the appropriate times to reduce humidity buildup
Get professional help: At Top Turf, we apply targeted fungicide treatments timed to prevent outbreaks—and stop them if they do appear.
Fungal lawn diseases can sneak up fast and cause long-term damage if left unchecked. If you’re seeing brown spots, thinning grass, or strange discoloration, don’t wait—the earlier you act, the better your chances of recovery.
Call Top Turf today for a customized summer fungus protection plan. Your lawn deserves to stay green, lush, and stress-free all season long.
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