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Red Spots on Grass

Grass exhibiting red spots may have contracted a fungal disease called anthracnose, according to the University of Florida. This disease is common in both cool and warm season grass types. It is important for gardeners to recognize the signs of anthracnose in order to provide their lawns with cultural and chemical treatment.

  1. Anthracnose

    • Anthracnose typically occurs during the spring or summer months. Air temperatures between 85 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit favor the germination and spread of the fungal spores that cause anthracnose, according to the University of California. In fact, gardeners may see a severe case of anthracnose when lawns experience wet summer conditions after a cold winter. This disease also signifies underlining health problems such as soil compaction, improper irrigation and high thatch levels. Treating the lawn with proper cultural practices and chemicals can help control its damage.

    Damage

    • Lawns infected with anthracnose display red to reddish brown spots that are surrounded by yellow halos, according to the University of Florida. You may see patches of infected grass that extend out to 12 inches in diameter, according to the University of California. When left untreated, red spots enlarge and kill off the entire leaf blade. Provide cultural treatment as soon as you see symptoms of anthracnose. Monitor the lawn when the weather is rainy and warm.

    Cultural Treatment

    • Anthracnose thrives in lawns that have thick thatch layers over 1/2 inch. Thatch is the living and dead organic matter growing between the soil and grass blades. When the thatch layer is over 1/2 inch thick, the fungal spores that cause anthracnose germinate and spread in the moist environment. To check your thatch layer, cut a 2-inch wedge shaped piece of turf out of the lawn and measure the thatch layer. Push a dethatcher back and forth across your lawn to remove excessive thatch.

    Chemical Treatment

    • Treat anthracnose with a fungicide that contains an active ingredient such as chlorothalonil, fenarimol, fludioxonil, metconazole, myclobutanil, propiconazole and thiophanate methyl, as suggested by the University of Florida. Use a flat nozzle on your sprayer when applying your fungicide. Flat nozzles distribute small droplets, which coat grass blades and is more effective when killing fungal diseases. Reapply the fungicide according to its directions. Avoid applying fungicides to a water stressed lawn to prevent causing any damage.

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Growing Grass
  1. Scientific Name of Red Oat Grass
  2. Red Baron Ornamental Grass
  3. Brown Spots in an Evergreen-Type Lawn
  4. Red Grasses
  5. My Grass Has White Spots
  6. Grass Turf Problems
  7. Why is My Grass Dying?
  8. Red String Disease in Lawns
  9. Empire Zoysia Grass Problems
  10. Burned Spots & Lawn Care
  11. Red Grass Fungus
  12. Anthracnose & Turf

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