Learn Your Lawn: Yellow Patch

What Is Yellow Patch Disease?

Yellow patch is a fungal disease that can occur in both warm- and cool-season grasses. It is most prevalent from late fall to early spring when temperatures are cooler and rainfall has been above average. Symptoms of yellow patch will appear as yellow, brown, or tan patches on the lawn, ranging in size from a few inches to several feet in diameter. The patches may have a distinct yellowish border. The grass in the affected areas may be stunted and have a thin or sparse appearance. In severe cases, the patches may merge together and form large, irregularly shaped areas of dead or dying grass. The roots and crowns of the grass plants may also be affected, leading to an overall decline in the health of the lawn. The damage is usually superficial, but with prolonged periods of wet weather in the late winter early spring, thinning can occur.

How Can I Control Yellow Patch In My Lawn?

Yellow patch can be difficult to manage when weather conditions are favorable for the spread of the disease. Depending on the size of the infestation and the scope of the damage, other forms of control may be necessary.

A thick, healthy, well-maintained lawn is the best line of defense. Here’s how you can adjust your beneficial cultural practices to reduce the spread of yellow patch:

• Avoid Watering: Avoid watering when the disease is active.

• Mowing: Avoid mowing when the disease is active. If you do have to mow, make sure your mower blade is razor sharp, so that the blade does not fray the tips of the grass, spreading the disease. Maintain a regular mowing schedule throughout the growing season. 

• Fertilize Regularly: Regular applications of Weed Man’s specially formulated, slow-release granular fertilizer will help provide your lawn with adequate nutrients. These applications are timed specifically to avoid over fertilizing the lawn.

• Core Aeration: Aerating your lawn can improve soil drainage and help reduce the likelihood of lawn diseases. This will also alleviate soil compaction and allow water and nutrients to penetrate deeper into the soil.

Your local Weed Man professional may be able to offer other solutions and recommend the best form of treatment that is available to improve the conditions of your lawn.