Lawns in New Jersey are susceptible to various diseases that can affect their health and appearance. Brown patch is a common disease that causes circular patches of brown or tan grass. It thrives in warm, humid conditions and is often caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Summer patch is another disease that affects lawns, causing circular patches of dead grass with a dark border. It is caused by a fungus that attacks the roots and is most common during hot, dry weather. Anthracnose is a fungal disease that causes dark, sunken lesions on grass blades and can lead to thinning and dieback. Dollar spot is a common lawn disease that causes small, circular patches of dead grass with a dollar coin-sized spot in the center. It is caused by a fungus that thrives in humid conditions and can be controlled with proper lawn care practices and fungicide treatments.

Brown Patch

Brown patch disease on a lawn in Westfield, NJ.

Brown patch is a common lawn disease that can affect various grass types, including Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue. It is caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani, which thrives in warm, humid conditions and can spread rapidly, especially in poorly drained areas.

Brown patch appears as circular patches of brown or tan grass, ranging from a few inches to several feet in diameter. The affected grass blades may have a dark, water-soaked appearance and can wilt and die quickly. The disease is often most severe in lawns that are overwatered or have poor drainage, as the excess moisture creates ideal conditions for the fungus to thrive.

To manage brown patch, it is important to avoid overwatering and improve drainage in affected areas. Regular mowing and removing thatch buildup can also help to reduce the severity of the disease. Fungicide treatments may be necessary in severe cases, but it is important to follow label instructions and apply them at the right time for best results.

Summer Patch

Summer patch disease on a lawn in Westfield, NJ.

Summer patch is a root-damaging fungal disease that primarily affects Kentucky bluegrass, creeping bentgrass, and annual bluegrass. Unlike surface-level diseases, this one attacks below the turf, making it more difficult to detect early.

Symptoms often appear as circular areas of thinning or dead grass during the heat of summer. Because the roots are compromised, affected turf struggles to recover, especially under stress from heat or drought.

Prevention is key, maintaining proper soil health, avoiding overwatering, and reducing stress on the lawn can help limit damage. Once established, recovery can take time, even with treatment.

Investing in preventative lawn disease control treatments is a great way to prevent diseases from infecting your lawn.

Anthracnose

Anthracnose disease on a lawn in Westfield, NJ.

Anthracnose is a stress-related lawn disease that tends to affect grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, creeping bentgrass, and perennial ryegrass. It often appears when turf is already weakened by drought, low nutrients, or heavy use.

You’ll typically notice small, dark lesions on the grass blades that expand over time, causing yellowing and thinning turf. In severe cases, entire areas may decline rapidly.

The best defense against anthracnose is a strong, healthy lawn. Proper watering, balanced fertilization, and consistent maintenance can reduce the likelihood of outbreaks. Fungicides may be used if the disease becomes severe.

Dollar Spot

Dollar spot disease on a lawn in Westfield, NJ.

Dollar spot is a common fungal disease that thrives in warm, humid conditions and frequently affects Kentucky bluegrass, creeping bentgrass, and perennial ryegrass.

It gets its name from the small, round patches it creates, often about the size of a silver dollar. These spots can merge over time, leading to larger areas of damaged turf. The grass may appear bleached or straw-colored.

This disease is often linked to low nitrogen levels and excess moisture. Improving your lawn’s nutrition, adjusting watering habits, and maintaining proper mowing practices can help keep dollar spot under control. Fungicides may be necessary in more persistent cases.

Give us a call today to schedule our lawn disease control service!

At Stream Line Lawn & Landscape, we offer our professional lawn disease control service to residential and commercial property owners in Westfield, Watchung, Warren, and other nearby areas in New Jersey. Our team of experts can handle a range of lawn diseases, including brown patch, summer patch, anthracnose, and dollar spot. For effective and reliable lawn disease control, give us a call today at (833) 452-9666 to schedule our lawn disease control service. We look forward to hearing from you soon!