With fall just around the corner, the weather is going to start to cool down. This is great news for your cool-season turf. However, it means that lawns with warm-season grass will begin to struggle a little bit since this type of grass thrives in the summer heat rather than in cooler weather. Your grass will become more susceptible to lawn diseases as it weakens, so it is important to look out for cautionary signs.

There are 4 common lawn diseases in Tennessee that you should look out for this fall. These include large patch, root rot, dollar spot, and fairy ring. Services like fertilization, aeration, and overseeding can help heal your lawn or even prevent these diseases altogether.

1. Large Patch

Picture of a large patch lawn disease in Central Gardens, Tennessee

Large patch is a common fall disease for grass. It's caused by a fungus called Rhizoctonia solani and can occur when excess moisture accumulates on your turf. Lawn patch leaves large circular patches of brown or even bare areas throughout your lawn. These areas will stand out from your healthy, green grass. If left untreated, this disease will spread and result in sparse nutrient absorption.

2. Root Rot

Picture of root rot lawn disease in Midtown, Tennessee

Root rot can begin occurring this time of year as the air turns crisp and begins to dampen your warm-season grass at a faster rate than it can dry. This disease is caused by several different types of mold and fungi. Turfgrass with root rot will appear yellow as the roots of your turf become unhealthy. This is caused by different types of fungi within the thatch layer of your turf that begin eating the decaying matter in your grass. It can span large areas of your turf if left untreated, causing you to replace large sections of your grass down the road.

3. Dollar Spot

Dollar spot is a fairly common lawn disease that occurs in the fall. It can develop when your grass remains wet and humid, so littered leaves that trap water can foster the perfect environment for this disease. You run the risk of dollar spot occurring by mowing too low as well, since shorter lawns hold in moisture longer than lawns that are mowed high. Dollar spot comes from the fungus known as Clarireedia homoeocarpa, and it results in small, hay-colored circles that appear about the size of a dollar coin. If this lawn disease goes untreated, it can spread the fungus in patches throughout your lawn.

4. Fairy Ring

Picture of fairy ring lawn disease in Germantown, Tennessee

Fairy ring is a lawn disease that leaves behind a large, circular ring. Its trademark feature is that it bears a resemblance to a halo. A fairy ring will have a circular border that stands out from the rest of the grass around it. It may produce either dry, brown grass or sparse, green grass within the infected area. Fairy ring occurs when various fungi begin eating the decaying matter in an overly moistened lawn. If left unchecked, mushrooms and other fungi will also begin to sprout. This disease will only spread throughout your turf over time.

If you notice any signs of lawn disease on your property, it is important to act quickly by scheduling lawn care services that will heal your lawn such as fertilization, aeration, and overseeding.

Need some help identifying these diseases on your lawn? Call us today to schedule a consultation!

At Picture Perfect Landscapes, our professionals can help you identify these lawn diseases and even prevent them. We offer leaf removal, fertilization, weed control, core aeration, and several more services to help. We proudly serve clients in Memphis, Midtown Memphis, East Memphis, and nearby areas in Tennessee. If you're not sure which of these diseases may be infecting your lawn, no worries! Call us today at (901) 246-7656 to schedule a consultation!