Dollar Spot Disease in Lawns

Watering should be done in the late evening to allow the grass to absorb moisture overnight.

When mowing, it is acceptable to remove up to half of the grass blade at once.

Hybrid Bermudagrass should be mowed at a height between ½ to 1½ inches.

Dollar Spot disease thrives in cold and dry conditions.

Dollar Spot is a disease primarily affecting warm-season grasses.

Adjusting cultural practices can help limit the spread of Dollar Spot disease.

For heavily damaged areas due to Dollar Spot, sod or appropriate grass seed may be needed for repair.

The fungus Sclerotinia homoeocarpa is responsible for Dollar Spot disease.

Aerating your lawn can help improve soil drainage and reduce lawn diseases.

Centipedegrass should be maintained at a mowing height of 2 to 3 inches.

Effects of Dollar Spot typically appear as large, irregularly shaped patches.

Monitoring weather temperature is not important for controlling Dollar Spot disease.

Regular fertilization using a slow-release granular fertilizer can prevent Dollar Spot disease.

Dollar Spot disease spreads easily through mowing equipment and gardening tools.

Watering a lawn should be limited to once a week for optimal health.

The reddish-brown border around Dollar Spot lesions can signal severe cases of the disease.

Dollar Spot Disease

Dollar Spot is a fungal disease affecting lawns, specifically cool-season grasses (Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, Fine Fescue).
Symptoms appear as small, round, straw or tan-colored spots resembling silver dollars, sometimes with reddish-brown borders.
Spots can merge, forming larger patches of dead or dying grass.
Caused by the fungus Sclerotinia homoeocarpa.
Thrives in warm, humid conditions.
Spreads through grass blades, air, mowing equipment, shoes, and other lawn tools.

Controlling Dollar Spot

Core Aeration: Improves soil drainage, reduces disease risk, and allows water/nutrients to penetrate deeper.
Fertilization: Regular applications of Weed Man's slow-release granular fertilizer provides adequate nutrients.
Watering: Water lawns 30-45 minutes per area a few times a week, especially during hot/dry periods. Water in the early morning to allow grass to dry by nightfall.
Mowing: Maintain a regular mowing schedule using a sharp blade, removing no more than ⅓ of the grass blade at each mowing.
Recommended Mowing Heights: Different grass types have different optimal mowing heights (e.g., Common Bermudagrass: 3/4 to 1 1/4 inches).
Disease control can be difficult, and other measures (e.g., sod replacement) may be necessary depending on the severity of the infestation.

This quiz delves into Dollar Spot disease, a fungal infection impacting cool-season grasses such as Kentucky Bluegrass. You'll learn about its symptoms, causes, and effective control methods, including aeration and proper watering practices. Test your knowledge on maintaining healthy lawns while managing this common disease.