A lush lawn is a great asset to your home, boosting curb appeal and creating an attractive exterior. Unfortunately, there are many lawn care issues that can negatively impact your grass' health, inhibiting growth. Lawn fungus is one issue to beware of. Learn the signs of this problem and how to fix the various forms of fungi below.

3 Key Signs of Lawn Fungus

1. Brown Patches

Brown spots on your lawn can be a sign of rhizoctonia fungi. It's most common in cool-season grasses and appears most prolifically in the summer, when temperatures reach 65 degrees Fahrenheit or more. Fungal-related brown patch generally results in irregular circles that can be as big as three feet in diameter. To avoid this issue, don't over water your lawn. A fungicide can fix the issue if it's already prevalent.

2. Pink Web-Like Patches

Pink snow mold gets its name from the circular white-or pink-colored patches it forms on your lawn. The patches may resemble a spider's web, creating a coating similar to a cobweb over the grass. It's more apparent in early spring and usually occurs because of snow-melt adding moisture to the earth. 

It thrives in warm, humid environments. Usually, pink snow mold fades away with warmer temperatures. You can help fix it by raking it off the surface of the grass and mowing it to a slightly shorter length.

3. Yellow-Brown Patches Surrounded by Dark Green

So-called summer patch is caused by magnaporthe poae fungi. It results in wilted dark green circles of grass, which encircle smaller patches of yellowish-brown grass. The patches are generally about two inches in diameter, with the grass dying from the top down. 

Summer patch can be corrected as soon as you see the dark-green wilted patches of grass forming. Increasing irrigation can help prevent the fungus from spreading. In the future, summer patch can be prevented with a propiconazole fungicide lawn care treatment.

If you suspect you have a lawn fungus, contact Nature Plus Lawn & Irrigation of Cincinnati, OH. These professionals provide personalized pest control and lawn care treatments, including a soil test for all new customers. They serve Hamilton, Warren, Clermont, and Butler counties. Visit their website to learn about their lawn care services and call (513) 755-9434 to schedule an appointment.