You put hours into your lawn, doing everything you were told to do to make the grass green and lush. You’ve aerated, fed, watered, and mowed, and everything looked great – until suddenly, it didn’t. Almost overnight, there are patches of dead grass. Or maybe some spots are an unusual color, or just look “off” somehow. Whatever the issue, it’s unsightly, and it looks to be spreading.

Oftentimes, when a lawn develops problems like dead or discolored areas, the culprit is disease or lawn fungus. But before you give up and decide to just replace your lawn with artificial turf, you should know that your grass can be saved. By correctly identifying the problem, and applying the proper treatment, you can eradicate the disease and go back to enjoying a yard full of healthy grass.

The most important step when you spot fungus or another problem on your lawn is to correctly identify the specific type of disease that’s present. Different lawn issues have different causes and symptoms, and treating your grass for the wrong thing could only lead to more damage – not to mention, you’ll still have to deal with the original issues. Before you invest in a treatment, therefore, take the time to closely examine the issue – or better yet, get a professional to identify the disease – so you know exactly what you’re dealing with and choose the right treatment the first time.

There are a number of signs to watch out for that indicate a problem with your lawn, and some of them are more obvious than others. In most cases, discoloration is the most obvious sign, as grass will turn yellow, tan, or brown in spots. Keep in mind, though that it’s not always a disease that can cause this. Higher than normal temperatures, inadequate watering, and insects can also cause dead or dying areas, only underscoring the need for adequate identification.

Assuming that everything else is normal, discoloration is just one sign that your lawn is sick. Brown patches not attributable to pets, slimy patches of grass, a film covering the grass and spots on individual blades of grass are all signs of an issue. While specific fungi and lawn diseases have unique signs, some of the most common types of disease and fungus include:

• Dollar spot. Usually presents as silver-dollar sized spots of tan or brown grass throughout the lawn.
• Brown patch lawn disease. Circular shaped areas of brown grass surrounded by a ring of “smoky” colored grass. The area might appear sunken. Usually appears in hot and humid weather.
• Leaf spot. Infections that present as spots on individual blades of grass. Grass looks gray, tan or brown, but the individual spots on the grass generally look red or purple.
• Mildew. Appears as a white film over the grass, usually in shady spots.
• Blight. Different forms of blight affect different types of grass. Depending on the type of blight, it may just kill the grass, or it could present as slimy brown or white patches throughout the lawn.

Again, because some diseases only effect certain types of grass (fusarium blight only attacks bluegrass, for example) it’s vital to know what type of grass you have and the specific type of disease before begging treatment.

The best way to deal with lawn disease and fungus is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Often, issues arise due to the way homeowners care for their lawns. Even some well-intentioned habits can cause problems, and making changes can prevent disease or keep it from causing permanent or widespread damage.

Some of the best methods of lawn fungus control to keep disease away include:

• Watering properly. Overwatering can cause mold, mildew and yard fungus to form. Once your grass is established, water deeply but less frequently. Your grass only needs about an inch of water per week. Water early in the day so grass will dry in the sun; wet grass is more susceptible to fungus.
• Mow regularly, but don’t cut the blades too short. Grass that is too short is more hospitable to disease. Keep your blades sharp so they cut without damage.
• Clean up debris from your yard. Leaving piles of leaves, branches and other debris creates the ideal breeding ground for fungus.
• Improve drainage. If you have low-lying areas or spots that don’t drain well, fix them so that water doesn’t pool and cause problems.
• Test the soil. Sometimes the problem is due to the nutrient balance in the soil, and changing or adjusting how you feed can solve it.
• Prevent spread by cleaning tools. Clean all of your lawn tools, including mower blades, rakes and shovels with a mixture of water and bleach to kill any spores that could be hiding there, waiting to cause a problem.

If you discover fungus on your lawn, you want to address it right away. But should you DIY it or call a professional for help?

If the issue is a simple fix, and you know exactly what it is and how to go about killing the disease, doing it yourself can save time and money. However, if you don’t choose the correct treatment, you could do more harm than good, and end up spending more in the long run. Not to mention, lawn fungus treatment products designed for consumer use aren’t always as powerful as those used by professionals, so it may take longer to solve the problem on your own.

By hiring a professional, you can be sure that you are treating the right problem, and that the products and treatments being used are the correct ones. It will cost more money, but a lawn care pro can solve the problem faster and prevent further damage to the grass. A professional can also provide insight into the cause of the problem and help you avoid it from happening again. Even if it is a simple fix, working with a professional gives you peace of mind that the issue has been dealt with correct.

Lawn fungus and disease is a common problem, and it doesn’t have to mean that all of your hard work was in vain. Sometimes it’s due to factors out of your control, but taking the right steps to prevent and treat disease can keep your grass looking beautiful all season long.