Spring dead spot is a common bermudagrass lawn disease in the northern area of Georgia, also known as the Piedmont region.
Spring dead spot is caused by fungus that is very active in cool, damp conditions. They feed on the roots of bermudagrass but also the rhizomes and stolons that cause bermudgrass to spread. Grass is typically infected with the fungus in the fall, and the grass succumbs to it over the winter. It becomes very susceptible to freezing during this time. When spring green-up occurs, you’ll see circular dead spots in the grass. It takes a long time for the grass to recover. The patches can recur and grow each year.
Unfortunately, unsightly spots in the lawn are not the only problem with spring dead spot. These dead spots also leave opportunity for opportunistic weeds to grow. This can leave lawns with uneven and unsightly patches of weeds dispersed throughout the lawn.
Fungicides are important to prevent and resolve spring dead spot issues. For prevention, fungicides are typically applied in the fall. A second application one month later further reduces risk. For an already damaged lawn, it may take up to four years to get spring dead spot under control.
Other ways to prevent spring dead spot include ensuring you don’t overuse nitrogen fertilizers, which can lessen bermudagrass winter hardiness. Potassium can conversely improve winter hardiness. Maintaining a proper pH in your lawn’s soil can also help to prevent the fungus.
Proper use of fertilizers and fungicides can keep your lawn fungus-free each year. In order to know what your lawn needs, it is essential to get a soil test. This can be handled by your local extension office, and you’ll prevent your lawn from becoming a spring dead spot fungus haven.
If you live in the Piedmont region of northern Georgia, it is important to engage in lawn activities to prevent spring dead spot. It is all too common in the region, and it is very difficult to recover from. All is not lost if you get spring dead spot, but it will take time. This is why it is best to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Occasionally, you can get it handled within a year, but 4 years is a long wait.
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