3 Common Lawn Diseases in The Villages, FL to Be Aware Of

Here in The Villages, FL, there are many types of diseases that can affect your lawn. Three common ones to be aware of are brown patch, zoysia patch, and dollar spot. Brown patch is a fungal infection that causes irregularly shaped patches of dead grass. Zoysia patches are also caused by a fungus and appear as small circular spots on the turf. Dollar spot is another type of fungal disease that forms small yellow or white spots on the leaves of grass blades. If you suspect that any of these lawn diseases have infected your turf, it's best to contact professionals right away so they can diagnose and treat the issue.

1. Brown Patch

Brown patch is a common lawn disease here in The Villages, FL, that can cause damage to your lawn if left untreated. This disease is caused by various species of fungi that thrive in warm, humid conditions and feed off the proteins found in living plant tissue. It typically starts with the development of reddish-brown lesions on the tips of your grass blades, which will eventually expand into larger, irregularly shaped patches of dead or dying turf. If left untreated, brown patch disease can spread rapidly throughout your entire lawn, resulting in thin and weak grass.

2. Zoysia Patch

Zoysia patch is another common lawn disease in The Villages, FL, that affects warm-season lawns, such as zoysiagrass and St. Augustinegrass. It is caused by several different strains of Rhizoctonia solani fungus, which thrives in areas with high humidity and excessive foot traffic. Zoysia patch first manifests as small, tan-colored circles on your grass blades, ranging from 1 to 4 inches in diameter. As the disease progresses, the affected turf turns brown or straw-colored and may have a slightly fuzzy texture on its surface. To effectively combat zoysia patch, it is crucial to consult with a professional lawn care provider so that they can confirm the infection and administer curative treatments to eliminate it.

3. Dollar Spot

Dollar spot is one of the most prevalent lawn diseases in The Villages, FL, and can cause damage to your turf if not addressed promptly. This disease is caused by various species of fungi belonging to the genus Sclerotinia, which thrives in moist, moderately cool environments. The initial symptoms of dollar spot are usually small, round, or oval areas of bleached or discolored turf, resembling "dollar coins", hence its name. These patches often overlap, forming irregular shapes and sizes across your lawn.

Dollar spot can quickly weaken and defoliate your grass, leading to stunted growth, reduced water absorption, and weakened defenses against other stressors. Regular monitoring of your turf for early signs of this disease is essential for prompt intervention.

Give us a call today to sign up for our lawn disease control service!

Lawn diseases are tough to deal with, especially if you don't have a lot of lawn care experience to know how to treat them. Luckily, here at FertiGator Lawn Care, we offer preventative and curative lawn disease treatments to prevent and treat existing lawn diseases. These treatments are included as part of our lawn care program, which also includes fertilization, weed control, and insect control treatments throughout the year. Our services are available to residential properties in The Villages, FL, as well as to other nearby areas such as Lady Lake and Wildwood. Call us today at (352) 314-2867 to sign up for our lawn care program so you can prevent disease from infesting your lawn and stay on top of all your lawn care needs!