How to Treat Lawn Fungus Before It Ruins Your Grass

As unsavory as it sounds, fungus can easily invade your lawn, leaving brown, yellow, or white spots in its wake. Obviously, this isn’t ideal from an aesthetic standpoint, but it can also quickly kill your grass. A demoralizing result, but also an expensive one, as replacing the turf will prove costly.

However, there are many ways to get rid of fungus in your lawn before it gets to this point. Follow these steps, and your front yard will look healthier than ever.

Types of Fungus

There are many different types of fungus that can appear in your yard; some are specific to certain geographical areas. Here are a few common ones that crop up in many lawns—and how you can spot them.

• Dollar Spot: This fungus causes your grass to turn brown. “It’s circular, not very large, and appears as random spots on your lawn, often not close together,” says Christopher Roderick, director of systems at the Grounds Guys. 
• Red Thread: It’s a bit harder to spot, but you’ll see red or pink strands on the individual grass blades. 
• Gray Leaf Spot: Similar to red thread, only the grass blades will appear gray instead.

How to Treat It

Fortunately, you don’t need to use any harsh chemicals to get rid of lawn fungus.

Neem oil, for example, is a great, easy-to-administer solution. Roderick also recommends using baking soda on the affected area—mix it with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and 1 gallon of water.

Vinegar is another smart option. Mix one part vinegar with two parts water. However, be patient when using these natural methods: “Their impact might not be evidenced quickly,” he adds. 

After, your lawn may need a bit of extra care. “Water thoroughly, and consider using a bio-stimulant like sea kelp or humic acid to help the lawn recover,” says Craig Elworthy, founder of Lawnbright.

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Prevention Methods

You can stop lawn fungus before it even appears with the proper maintenance. 

First and foremost is proper mowing. Make sure your lawn mower blades are sharp, as dull blades can cause the grass to tear and make it more prone to disease. “Don’t cut more than 1/3 of the grass blade with each mow,” adds Elworthy. 

Proper watering is also key. “Ensure that you have proper drainage—moisture retention [can lead] to fungus,” adds Roderick. “Water in the morning so the blades of grass can dry. Watering at night keeps moisture in the turf area.” Elworthy recommends watering only once or twice a week. 

It’s also important to invest in good quality grass seed—especially if you’ve already lost part of your lawn to disease. “Overseed your lawn each year with a disease-resistant variety to build resilience,” says Elworthy.

Environmental factors play a role here, too. Nearby trees, for example, can make the lawn wetter with their shade, so it’s a good idea to trim them back. Also: “Consider dethatching your lawn surface if it’s spongy when you walk over it,” says Elworthy. “Thatch traps heat and moisture, which is a breeding ground for fungus.”