Holes in the Lawn Caused By Fungus

Identification

• Lawn diseases are difficult to identify. Some of the common signs of lawn fungal diseases include small to large areas of discolored grass, thinning grass areas, leaf spots, small hard fungal growth, white cottony growth, wilting, yellow grass blades and rotted stems, according to the University of California. If you see a "frog-eye" pattern or a ring of discolored grass with healthy grass growing in the center, there is a strong likelihood that your lawn has a disease. Send turf samples to your local cooperative extension office for positive identification.

Treatment

• You can use both chemical treatments and cultural practices to treat your lawn diseases. Make sure that the fungicide you spray on your lawn targets the specific disease infecting your lawn. Use a flat fan nozzle to spray the fungicide to achieve thorough coverage, as suggested by the University of Missouri. Also, you should provide enough water to help the grass bounce back from the disease, but not so much as to encourage fungal disease. Lawns need 1 inch of water per week from rainfall or an irrigation system.

Lawn Preparation

• Fix the holes in your lawn by overseeding. For grass seed to germinate and grow without contracting a fungal disease, the lawn area must be prepared. Remove the thatch layer if it is more than 1/2 inch thick. Thatch is the layer of dead and living organic material between the soil and grass blades. A layer greater than 1/2 inch thick will prevent grass seeds from germinating and create a favorable environment for fungal diseases. Use a power dethatcher to remove the thick thatch layer.

Overseeding

• Spread a starter fertilizer over your lawn to promote grass seed germination and root growth. A starter fertilizer is high in phosphorous. You can use a starter fertilizer with an NPK (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium) amount of 16-20-0 at a rate of 6 pounds per 1,000 square feet, according to the University of California. Distribute the grass seed evenly over your lawn, or focus in on the bare areas. Cover the grass seed with 1/8 inch of dirt or compost and water.