What a crazy season we are experiencing across the board. There have been too many calls, emails, and texts for us to handle during the drought we just got through. Everyone is wondering what’s wrong with their lawn!!! The most common answer we get this time of year is, “I think you burned my grass!” This couldn’t be further from the truth. From Maine to Massachusetts, people have been complaining about our business. Universities have been inundated with calls and tissue samples for diagnosis. Leaf smut is the cause.
Finding black spots in your otherwise healthy, green lawn can be alarming But don’t panic – there are a few common causes for grass turning black in patches With some detective work and proper lawn care, you can get your grass back to its vibrant self.
What Causes Black Spots in Grass?
There are three main culprits for black patches of grass
Fungal Disease
The most common cause of black spots is a fungal disease called brown patch. Brown patch thrives in hot, humid weather and attacks cool-season grasses like fescue. As the fungus spreads, it causes irregular patches of grass to turn brown and die. The dead grass then turns black.
Brown patch usually goes away on its own when the weather cools down. But you can speed recovery by improving air circulation and drainage and reducing irrigation. Fungicides labeled for brown patch can also help for severe infections.
Heat and Drought Stress
In the peak of summer, intense sun and heat can scorch grass blades causing them to wither and die. This leaves behind ugly black patches. Drought conditions make heat stress worse by depriving grass of the water it needs to stay cool and healthy.
The best defense is to water your lawn deeply but infrequently to promote deep root growth. Mow high and avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer that pushes growth and increases water needs. Consider overseeding thin areas in fall so grass stays thicker.
Pests Like Chinch Bugs
Certain bugs, like chinch bugs, attack and damage grass. Chinch bug damage starts as yellow spots that turn brown and then black as the grass dies. The small black insects are usually found at the edges or in hot, sunny areas.
Insecticides can control chinch bugs. But also address conditions they prefer, like compacted soil, thick thatch, and high nitrogen. Introduce beneficial nematodes to naturally control the pests. And plant endophyte-enhanced turfgrass varieties, which resist chinch bugs.
How to Diagnose the Cause of Black Grass Spots
Figuring out exactly why your grass has black patches is key to fixing the problem. Here are some steps to identify the cause:
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Check the weather and season. Brown patch fungal disease peaks in humid, 90+ degree midsummer weather. Heat/drought stress also worsens in hot, dry weather. If black spots coincide with intense heat, this points to weather-related causes.
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Inspect blades of grass. Heat/drought damaged grass will be dry, brittle, and shriveled. Fungal disease may show signs of rot or mold. Chewed or sucked dry grass indicates insect pests.
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Look for bugs. Search the affected areas carefully for small black insects like chinch bugs. Their presence is a dead giveaway for pest damage.
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Evaluate patterns. Brown patch causes scattered, irregular patches. Drought stress appears in large oval or circular areas that follow soil type and sun exposure. Chinch bug damage starts on edges.
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Consider recent lawn care. Over-fertilizing and improper watering can contribute to fungal disease, heat stress, and pest infestations.
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Get a diagnosis. If needed, turfgrass experts can positively identify specific fungal disease through lab testing. This ensures correct treatment.
How to Fix Black Spots and Restore Your Lawn
Once you know why your lawn has black patches, you can take the right steps to fix it:
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Improve air flow and drainage. Thinning the canopy and reducing compaction improves airflow and drainage to prevent fungal disease. Aerating helps with compaction issues.
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Water deeply and infrequently. Deep weekly watering encourages deeper roots, reducing drought stress. More frequent shallow watering promotes fungal disease and shallow roots.
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Fertilize properly. Excess nitrogen fertilizer pushes growth, increasing water needs and pest issues. Follow a soil test for ideal fertility.
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Raise mowing height. Longer grass blades promote root growth, shade soil, resist pests and tolerate drought better. Cut no more than 1/3 of blade height.
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Overseed thin spots. Seeding repairs bare patches and helps grass outcompete weeds and pests. Fall is the best time for cool-season grass seeding.
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Control pests. For severe chinch bug or other pest damage, targeted insecticide use can knock down populations. Reduce conditions favorable to pests in your cultural practices.
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Apply fungicide. For recurrent or widespread brown patch disease, fungicides containing propiconazole, myclobutanil or azoxystrobin can be effective. Always follow label directions.
With attentive lawn care and the right treatment for diagnosed causes, you can get your grass looking lush and green again, free of unsightly black spots. Be patient – it may take weeks or months for full recovery. But with a little TLC, your lawn will be back better than ever.
Leaf smut spores growing on leaf tissue giving the appearance of darker sections of grass.
Be aware that all plants need proper care and maintenance before we look into what’s going on. That includes your lawn.
MICROCLIMATES
Every lawn and the environment it grows in varies considerably from property to property. Some have full shade and some full sun (shade weakens turf). Some have more organic matter in the soil (holds water and nutrients better than sandy soil). Some have ledge underneath the topsoil (limits potential, among other issues). Some have irrigation systems (correctly set can dramatically help turf & save water, improperly set promotes disease). It goes on and on. Microclimates play a considerable role in the health of vegetation. Dictating what grows there and what doesn’t. When Mother Nature decides to change things up, these microclimates are affected. Sometimes in harmful ways.
PROPER CARE & MAINTENANCE
We try to educate our customers on proper mowing and watering practices. Some adhere to our recommendations, and some do not. We provide fertility, premium products, expertise, and guidance. You should understand, but if you don’t, feel free to ask us anything! Service calls are still free for people who are signed up for one of our many programs. Please ensure you understand our recommendations. Teamwork is EVERYTHING! Please read Your responsibility vs. ours. On to the issue at hand.
WIDESPREAD DISEASE OUTBREAK!
Who wants to hear about another widespread problem?! We’ve got enough going on right now. We know what you’re going through; we’ve been there! But since the weather changed so quickly last month, more problems have come up. It has been an unusually dry late spring this year. Back in the 1950s and 1960s, when it was cold, we were all looking forward to warmer weather. What you may not know is our cool-season turfgrass LOVES 55 – 65-degree weather. Lawns were already in a happy place. Everything was green and growing nicely, recovering from winter stress. Then it happened! We had a dramatic spike in temperatures 80 – 90-degree weather hit. This was a big surprise because we know our lawns love cooler weather. After the crazy rise in temperatures, we started a long drought. Hot days and cool evenings are a recipe for disaster for living plants in our climate. There were perfect conditions for disease to grow! After the much-needed rain, we all started to calm down, believing that our lawns and gardens would turn green again and everything would be fine. Right?!.
WRONG!!! The long drought and warmer temperatures have created trillions and trillions of spores that spread disease. We’ve had Leaf blight, Anthracnose, Dollar Spot, Necrotic Ring Spot, and other diseases show up everywhere in the last few weeks. Many lawns areas regressed into dormancy. It’s not a bad thing. Its Mother Natures way of shutting systems down when the proper conditions are not present. However, as you may know in nature, the weak become prey. After the rain over the past few days, landscapes received the water they desperately needed. It was a welcome event for many. Today, July 1st, the rain continued in the morning and then the sun came out. Many of us started to go back outside to see what may have changed. More and more people noticed that their lawns got worse OVERNIGHT! Dark brown, almost black spots began to show up.
Q&A – What is wrong with my grass? It is black.
FAQ
How do I get rid of black fungus in my lawn?
Why would grass turn black?
Will lawn fungus go away on its own?
Why does my lawn turn black?
Grass turns black due to fungal infections thriving in damp conditions, overwatering disrupting soil balance, insect infestations causing localized discoloration, or chemical imbalances in the soil. Identifying and addressing these issues promptly is crucial for restoring a healthy, vibrant lawn. Before panic sets in, and questions flood your mind.
What is this black stuff in my lawn?
The vigilant gardener may wonder, “What is this dark stuff in my lawn?” It is slime mold, of which there are many varieties. The black substance on lawns is a primitive organism that is actually beneficial. It creeps along leaf blades eating dead organic matter, bacteria, and even other molds.
What causes black spots on grass?
Over-watering and poor drainage create an environment conducive to fungal growth. Manifestation of Issues: The excess moisture disrupts the balance of nutrients in the soil, resulting in black spots on the grass. This manifestation is a visible indicator of an imbalance that needs to be addressed promptly.
Are black spots affecting your lawn?
These black spots not only look unattractive and serve as an eyesore, but they also sabotage the health and vigour of the lawn and weaken its structure. Black Spot can infect all grasses, both warm and cool season varieties. During warmer weather, massive deluges combined with heat and humidity create the ideal conditions for Black Spot.
What causes discoloration in grass?
Dormancy in the grass is a natural occurrence and is another factor that can cause discoloration. To help identify whether the problem is injury, stress or a deficiency, here are some examples and solutions: Spills can cause lawn damage quickly, resulting in yellow or brown spots. Refill spreaders, sprayers and outdoor power equipment carefully.
Why does my lawn have brown spots?
There are two main reasons why your lawn may be taken over by fungus. The first is because your area has been experiencing a lot of rain, accompanied by cooler temperatures. Species of fungus love these conditions because it allows them to grow uninhibited, which causes these brown spots to appear almost overnight.