Dollar Spot

What it looks like

Coin-sized bleached or straw-colored spots on short grass, which can grow into patches 6 inches or more across on taller lawns. Spots have a light tan center with a reddish-brown edge. On dewy mornings you may see fuzzy white webbing across the grass.

When it shows up in the Triangle

Shows up in spring once nighttime temps climb above 50°F, and needs long stretches of overnight leaf wetness to take hold. It tends to fade out once daytime temps push past 90°F.

Where you’ll see it

Affects all types of home lawn grass, but tends to hit Kentucky bluegrass, zoysia, and bermuda the hardest.

What you can do

• Choose disease-resistant grass varieties when reseeding or overseeding
• Keep your lawn adequately fertilized — surprisingly, underfed fescue is more prone to this disease
• Water early in the morning rather than evening so grass isn't wet overnight
• Knock dew off the grass in the morning if you can
• Aerate periodically to reduce thatch buildup