Lawn fungal diseases take on a variety of forms – from dead-looking brown patches to highly visible spots, threads, rings, or slimes. And once they strike your yard, grass fungal diseases can be difficult to treat.

Fortunately, the right lawn care practices can go a long way toward prevention and treatment; and in severe cases, a fungicide can help eradicate the spores to keep it from spreading. Here are some tips for preventing and treating fungal diseases in your lawn.

Mowing your grass too low can encourage fungal disease.

Causes of Lawn Fungal Disease

Your lawn is naturally full of fungi and spores, some harmless and some problematic, but the right (or wrong) conditions can cause grass fungus to erupt into a harmful disease. The most common causes of a lawn fungal disease are:

• Drought
• Improper mowing (especially mowing too low)
• Compacted soil
• Overwatering
• Too much fertilizer (or using the wrong kind)
• Wrong grass type for your yard
• Weather conditions (particularly temperature and humidity)

How To Identify Lawn Fungal Diseases

Signs that your lawn may have a fungal disease include:

Brown patch of dead grass in lawn.

• White, yellow, or brown patches or rings that grow in diameter.
• Thin patches of frayed, distorted, or discolored grass blades.
• Gray, black, red, orange, or purple spots on blades or stems.
• Gray, black, or pink powdery or threadlike...