What's Damaging Your Lawn This Summer? 4 Common Lawn Diseases to Watch For Insects, Mites & Diseases Lawn Care Seasonal Care A healthy lawn adds beauty, value, and enjoyment to your home. During the heat and humidity of summer, even well-maintained lawns can develop diseases that cause brown patches, thinning turf, and overall decline. Many lawn diseases share similar symptoms, making it difficult to tell whether you're dealing with a fungal disease, drought stress, insect activity, or another issue. Early diagnosis is important because each condition requires a different management approach. If you've noticed brown spots or patchy areas developing in your lawn this summer, one of these four common lawn diseases may be the cause: Brown Patch, Dollar Spot, Large Patch, or Take-All Root Rot (TARR). Why lawn diseases are common during summer Most lawn diseases develop when environmental conditions favor fungal growth. Summer often provides the perfect combination of heat, humidity, moisture, and plant stress. Several factors can increase disease pressure, including: High humidity Warm overnight temperatures Excessive rainfall or irrigation Poor air circulation Compacted soil Nutrient imbalances Extended periods of leaf wetness While some diseases affect cool-season grasses and others target warm-season turf, nearly all lawn diseases become more active when grass is stressed. Brown Patch Disease What is Brown Patch? Brown Patch is one of the most common summer lawn diseases affecting cool-season grasses. It is caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani and often develops during periods of high humidity and warm nighttime temperatures. Symptoms of Brown Patch Brown Patch typically appears as: Circular brown or tan patches Areas ranging from a few inches to several feet wide Thin or matted grass blades A dark gray "smoke ring" around affected areas during early morning dew (this feature is most pronounced on closely cut turf and may not be as apparent in typical home lawns mowed at standard heights) The disease can spread rapidly when temperatures remain warm, and moisture levels stay high. What causes Brown Patch? Brown Patch thrives when: Nighttime temperatures remain above 65°F Humidity is high Lawns receive excessive nitrogen Grass remains wet for extended periods How to manage Brown Patch To help reduce Brown Patch activity: Water early in the morning Avoid overwatering Improve air circulation around turf Follow a balanced fertility program Monitor lawns closely during periods of prolonged humidity Early intervention often limits damage and helps turf recover more quickly. Dollar Spot Fungus What Is Dollar Spot? Dollar Spot (Clarireedia jacksonii) is a common fungal disease that affects many turfgrass species. The disease gets its name from the small, circular patches it creates, which are often about the size of a silver dollar. Symptoms of Dollar Spot Look out for: Small, straw-colored spots in the lawn Bleached or tan grass blades Spots that gradually merge into larger patches White fungal growth during humid mornings What causes Dollar Spot? Low soil nitrogen levels Elevated humidity Drought stress or inconsistent irrigation Excessive thatch buildup Lawns already under environmental stress Dollar Spot is most common when: The turf is low in nitrogen Grass remains wet for extended periods Humidity levels are elevated Temperatures are in the 70–85°F range with cool nights around 60°F Lawns are under stress Dollar Spot tends to peak in late spring and early fall when these conditions align, though it can remain active into summer depending on your region and weather patterns. How to Manage Dollar Spot Healthy, actively growing turf is less susceptible to Dollar Spot. Management practices include: Maintaining balanced fertility Watering properly Improving soil health Reducing excess moisture on grass blades A professional diagnosis can help confirm whether Dollar Spot or another disease is responsible for the lawn damage. Large Patch Disease What is Large Patch? Large Patch is a disease commonly found in warm-season grasses such as zoysiagrass and St. Augustinegrass. It is caused by a specific strain of Rhizoctonia solani, the same fungal species responsible for Brown Patch, but a different anastomosis group. The Brown Patch strain targets cool-season grasses primarily in summer heat, while the Large Patch strain attacks warm-season grasses during cooler, wetter conditions. Although infections typically begin during cooler weather in spring or fall, symptoms may remain visible well into summer. Symptoms of Large Patch Signs include: Large circular or irregular brown patches Yellow or orange borders around affected areas Thinning turf Slow recovery during the growing season Affected areas may continue to expand if environmental conditions remain favorable. What Causes Large Patch? Large Patch is encouraged by: Excess moisture Poor drainage Heavy thatch layers Environmental stress High humidity How to Manage Large Patch To reduce disease pressure: Improve drainage Avoid excessive irrigation Reduce thatch buildup Maintain proper mowing practices Support healthy root development A customized lawn care program can help strengthen turf and improve recovery. Take-All Root Rot (TARR) What Is Take-All Root Rot? Take-All Root Rot (TARR) is a serious disease that affects the root systems of warm-season grasses. It is caused by the soil-borne fungus Gaeumannomyces graminis var. graminis (commonly abbreviated as Ggg). Unlike many lawn diseases that primarily damage grass blades, TARR attacks the roots, stolons, and rhizomes, reducing the lawn's ability to absorb water and nutrients. Symptoms of Take-All Root Rot Common symptoms include: Yellowing grass Thinning turf Slow growth Irregular brown patches Weak or shortened roots Because symptoms often resemble drought stress, TARR is frequently misdiagnosed. SavATree lawn care specialists identify Take-All Root Rot as a common warm-season turf issue that can cause yellowing, thinning, slow growth, and irregular brown patches. What Causes TARR? Several factors can contribute to disease development, including: Soil stress Poor soil health Excess moisture Environmental stressors Root injury How to Manage TARR Management focuses on improving overall lawn health through: Soil health improvements Proper irrigation practices Stress reduction Customized fertilization programs Ongoing monitoring Because the disease affects the root system, recovery may take longer than with other lawn diseases. When Brown Grass Isn't a Disease: Understanding Drought Stress Not every brown lawn is suffering from a disease. During periods of prolonged heat and dry weather, grass can become stressed and enter dormancy as a natural survival response. Unlike many lawn diseases, drought stress often causes more widespread discoloration across the lawn rather than distinct circles, rings, or patches. Grass blades may appear folded, wilted, or gray-green before turning tan or brown. Footprints may also remain visible longer after walking across drought-stressed turf. While a dormant lawn may look concerning, it is often protecting itself by slowing growth and conserving moisture until conditions improve. In many cases, healthy turf can recover when temperatures moderate and rainfall returns. Proper watering practices play an important role in helping lawns withstand dry conditions. Deep, thorough watering encourages deeper root growth and can improve drought resilience over time. Healthy soil, balanced fertility, and strong root systems also help turf better tolerate environmental stress. If you're unsure whether your lawn is experiencing drought stress, disease activity, or a combination of both, a professional evaluation can help identify the cause and determine the best path forward. Not Every Brown Patch Is the Same Brown Patch, Dollar Spot, Large Patch, and Take-All Root Rot can produce similar symptoms, but the underlying causes and the best management strategies can differ significantly. Applying the wrong treatment can waste time, increase stress on your lawn, and allow the disease to continue spreading. That's why accurate diagnosis is one of the most important steps in restoring lawn health. At SavATree, our lawn care specialists evaluate the factors affecting your lawn, including grass type, soil conditions, moisture levels, and disease patterns. By identifying the root cause, we develop a customized care plan designed specifically for your property. Healthy Lawns Start From the Ground Up Many lawn diseases take advantage of turf that is already under stress from poor soil conditions, nutrient deficiencies, excessive moisture, or environmental pressures. A customized lawn care program can help: Improve soil health and root development Strengthen turf against environmental stress Reduce the likelihood of recurring disease issues Promote thicker, greener, more resilient growth Support year-round lawn health Concerned About Brown Patches in Your Lawn? If you're noticing thinning turf, discoloration, or expanding patches of dead grass, our lawn care specialists can help identify what's happening and recommend the most effective path forward. Concerned about brown patches or thinning turf? Schedule a complimentary consultation with your local SavATree team. We'll diagnose the issue, explain your options, and create a customized plan to help your lawn recover and thrive. We care for what you love. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with an expert arborist.