The warm and humid climate of Georgia provides ideal conditions for lush green lawns, but it also creates a favorable environment for various lawn diseases to thrive. From fungal infections to viral and bacterial diseases, homeowners often find themselves combating a range of challenges to maintain a healthy and vibrant lawn.
We have compiled a list of the 10 most common lawn diseases in Georgia to help our neighbors protect their lawns against these harmful invaders. After reading, be sure to contact Pro Outdoor for more information on treating lawn disease and maintaining healthy lawns in Georgia!
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Brown spot lawn disease presents as circular or irregularly shaped patches of discolored grass in lawns, ranging from a few inches to several feet in diameter. Initially, the affected grass appears light green or yellow, gradually progressing to a tan or brown color. The edges of these patches are often well-defined, with a distinct border between the healthy and diseased areas. Within the affected patches, individual grass blades may exhibit lesions or dark spots, particularly at the base where they meet the soil. In humid conditions, the edges of the patches may appear dark or even slimy.
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Large patch affects warm-season turfgrass and brown spot affects cool-season types, making large patch the more common of the two in Georgia. Large patch is caused by the same fungus as brown spot, but there are some key differences in appearance between the two. Large patch typically manifests as large, irregularly shaped patches of discolored grass, ranging from a few feet to several yards in diameter. The affected grass turns yellowish or bronze in color, often with a reddish tint, before turning tan or brown as the disease progresses. Unlike the circular patches of brown spot, large patch patches have less defined edges, with a gradual transition from the diseased to the healthy grass. As one would expect, large patch is known to affect a much bigger area of a lawn, with multiple patches often converging to form giant swaths of affected grass.
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Dollar spot, a common fungal disease affecting lawns in Georgia, is characterized by small circular patches that resemble silver dollars scattered across the grass. These spots typically range from the size of a silver dollar to that of a quarter, hence the name. They appear as straw-colored or light tan areas with a reddish-brown border, giving the lawn a patchy and uneven appearance. Upon closer inspection, affected grass blades within these spots exhibit characteristic lesions or markings, initially appearing water-soaked before turning straw-colored or bleached.
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Leaf spot is another common fungal disease found in Georgia lawns, causing distinctive symptoms on grass blades. It appears as small, circular to irregularly shaped spots or lesions on the leaves of grass plants. These spots may vary in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter. They appear dark green in color, but as the disease spreads, they may turn brown or tan around the edges of the spots. The centers of the spots may dry out and become papery, giving them a "shot-hole" appearance.
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Take-all root rot is a fungal disease that primarily affects warm-season grasses, making it a common foe of lawns in Georgia. Visually, take-all root rot presents as irregularly shaped patches of discolored or dying grass in the lawn. Affected areas may display a yellowing or thinning of the turf that turns into a yellow or brown color as the disease advances. One of the key identifying traits of take-all root rot is the appearance of dark, rotted roots in infected plants, along with decay of the crown. Turfgrass will start to die off if this disease is not controlled due to the damaged roots being unable to absorb nutrients from the soil.
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Positively identifying anthracnose requires careful observation of several key characteristics, as it can easily be confused with other diseases. Anthracnose appears as irregularly shaped patches of thin or dead grass in the lawn, often with a distinctive darkening or blackening of the grass blades. These patches may vary in size and shape, typically ranging from a few inches to several feet in diameter. Close inspection of the affected grass blades may reveal small, sunken lesions or irregular blotches with dark margins, indicative of fungal activity. During periods of high humidity or moisture, common here in Georgia, the fungal spores responsible for anthracnose may produce pinkish-orange masses on the grass blades.
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Identifying powdery mildew in a lawn involves recognizing several distinct characteristics. Powdery mildew appears as a powdery white or grayish coating on the leaves, stems, and sometimes even flowers of grass plants. This powdery substance consists of fungal spores and mycelium, giving affected areas a dusty or flour-like appearance. Unlike some other fungal diseases, powdery mildew does not require standing water or high humidity to develop; it thrives in warm, dry conditions with low air circulation. As the disease progresses, the affected grass may become distorted, stunted, or discolored, with yellowing or browning of the leaves.
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Rust lawn disease, caused by many different fungal pathogens, causes the development of small, powdery pustules on the grass blades, typically ranging in color from yellow to orange. These pustules, resembling rust particles, are most noticeable during the later stages of infection, giving the affected grass a rusty or reddish-orange appearance. Affected grass blades may initially exhibit yellow or pale green streaks or flecks, indicating the early stages of the disease. The streaks develop into the characteristic rust-colored pustules, ultimately causing the grass blades to become thin, weak, and susceptible to breaking.
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Identifying fairy ring in a lawn involves recognizing several key characteristics. Fairy ring appears as a circular or semicircular pattern of darker green grass, often with a noticeable outer ring of dead or dying grass. Within the darker green area, mushrooms or toadstools may occasionally emerge, especially during periods of high moisture. The soil in and around the fairy ring may exhibit changes in texture, becoming more compacted or hydrophobic. In some cases, a faint line of mushrooms may be visible just beneath the soil surface, marking the edge of the fungal mycelium network responsible for the fairy ring. These rings can vary in size from a few inches to several feet in diameter.
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Necrotic ring spot develops distinctive symptoms that are easily identifiable. This disease manifests as circular or semicircular patches of wilted or dead grass in the lawn, ranging in size from a few inches to several feet in diameter. The outer edge of these patches often appears darker green, creating a ring-like pattern, while the inner portion exhibits wilting, browning, or necrosis of the grass blades. Unlike fairy ring, necrotic ring spot does not typically produce mushrooms. Instead, affected grass plants may display symptoms such as stunted growth, thinning turf, and weakened root systems.
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