Tan Spots in my yard????

[joe_stack20]

Guys i dont know whats going on....but i have softball sized "Tan" spots...i dont dare say "dead" spots...I tried pulling up on one of the spots and it did NOT pull up easily...thinking they were grubs.....now i dont know what to think...i have seen this before on Golf Courses...and i asked the head maintance dude what the spots were....he called it "Snow Mold"...i am thinking it may be some sorta mold..but not quite sure on what...any suggestions?

[beer batter]

You have dogs near by? Spots that small sound like dog pee spots to me.

[joe_stack20]

ya there are dogs in my neighborhood....however this isnt a dog problem. picture leapord print tan spots...in a 6'X10' area. and well away from the road.. Thank s for the reply...i just dont know whats going on

[LABS4ME]

My 1st guess is "Summer Patch" or "Brown Patch". Both are a fungus caused by high humidity, warm day time temps (80+)and warm evening temps(65+). They are summer diseases, whereas snow mold is a winter disease and shows itself in the early spring. The "patches" really flourish under the above conditions, plus add in improper cultural methods (ie: watering too much, watering in the evening so the grass stays damp all night, high nitrogen content in the soil) and you have a veritable paradise for funguses. They can be treated with a fungicide effectively. Also begin proper watering by watering long and deep two-three times a week in the morning only. Reduce the amount of Nitrogen you apply to your lawn mid-summer and never water in the evening.

The other thing it could be if it's not in "rings" or "saucers", is sod web worm. They will cause all kinds of little brown dead patches as they eat away where the crown and root join. These turn into the little white moths you scare up out od your lawn each evening. Grub-X will eliminate those along with grubs, ants, fleas etc.

Good Luck!

Ken

[IFallsRon]

I had that last summer. It got better with watering.

[joe_stack20]

ok what should i do...I am toldi might be over watering...and the other guy says more watering cured his problem???? I water 3-4 times a week...mostly in the evenings when i get home from work?? water each zone (6 zones) 40 minutes each. Maybe i am watering at the wrong time of the day??? I dont know....but i dont like the looks of this.

[IFallsRon]

Were there ever trees where the spots occur? There could be some decaying roots. Mine responded to more water. It could be that your's are more stressed due to the lack of rain.

[joe_stack20]

nope no trees there...new addition in the fergus falls area that was put up in '98. Closest tree is 40 ft away

[LABS4ME]

This taken from the Penn State extension web site... you can go there and look at different diseases to see if any match yours.

Brown patch is a major summer disease of lawns and golf courses. The most susceptible grass species include perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and the bentgrasses. Occasionally, brown patch becomes a problem on Kentucky bluegrasses in mid- to late-summer during extended periods of high temperature and humidity.

Disease cycle

The causal fungus overwinters in the form of resting bodies called sclerotia, either within infected grass tissue or in the soil. The fungus is capable of surviving in soil for years in the absence of a susceptible grass. Disease activity is prevalent when surface moisture and humidity are high, night temperatures are above 68° F and daytime temperatures average 80° F or above. Rainy weather and a saturated atmosphere (100 percent relative humidity) greatly speed disease development. Disease severity is greater on lush, succulent turfgrass maintained with high nitrogen levels than on grass maintained with moderate levels.

Cultural control

Applying nitrogen fertilizers on turf with a known history of brown patch during hot and humid weather may create the need for fungicide applications to control the disease. Removal of dew or guttation water that collects on the grass leaves each morning has proven effective as an aid in reducing brown patch. This removal can be achieved by mowing or by dragging a water hose across the area. Necesary watering should be done in time for the grass to dry before nightfall.

Chemical control

Fungicide treatment should only be needed on high-value ryegreass or bentgrass turfs. Fungicide treatment usually is made on a curative basis; the first spray should be applied immediately after the onset of symptoms, especially if prolonged hot, humid weather is expected. In areas where brown patch causes severe thinning on putting greens, preventative fungicide applications may be justified.

Good luck!

Ken