Spring Dead Spot? What is it and how do I fix it?

What is spring dead spot? Spring dead spot is identified as brown or yellow patches in your lawn that measure between 10cm to 1m in diameter. Just as the name implies, Spring dead spot is most often found during the spring season as the colour of your lawn typically darkens.

In truth, spring dead spot can be found from autumn to winter but is less noticeable as your lawn is lighter in colour over the cooler months. It then becomes less active once summer arrives when the lawn growth usually outpaces the damage caused by Spring dead spot.

Spring dead spot is a fungus disease and while the lawn leaf appears to be dying it actually attacks and kills the roots and underground runners (rhizomes) of the turf.

The biggest issue here is how the disease works – the conditions that allow the disease to take hold will make the turf week which, in turn, makes the disease strong and the lawn too weak to fight against it. So, we want the environment to be unfriendly for the disease but friendly for the lawn.

• Limit humidity as much as possible – water your lawn only in the morning so that moisture isn’t left on the thatch layer of your yard overnight.
• Mow your lawn regularly to keep growth under control and to reduce the build-up of thatch. Remove excess thatch by vertimowing as required.
• Check the soil pH level to ensure that nitrogen levels are not too high – if they are then take appropriate steps to lower those levels. Fertilise on a regular basis with a good quality, slow release fertiliser.
• Reduce the amount of shade in your yard by trimming bushes, shrubs and trees allowing more direct sunlight to reach the lawn.
• Keep an eye on soil compaction and core or aerate the lawn as required.

Treatment for spring dead spot itself can be difficult. The results from applying fungicides can be a bit hit and miss, meaning that spring dead spot can require ongoing management. The best course of action is typically a combination of application of an appropriate fungicide and regular lawn care to create the very best environment for your lawn.

If your lawn is seriously impacted, removal and replacement of the lawn – full or in part – may be necessary. Contact the team at Daleys Turf for more information.