5 Signs Your Georgia Lawn Has a Fungus Problem

The five most common signs of lawn fungus in Georgia are circular brown patches (Brown Patch), dollar-sized straw-colored spots (Dollar Spot), powdery gray or white coating on blades (Gray Leaf Spot), dark greasy-looking grass (Pythium Blight), and rings of unusually dark green grass (Fairy Ring). Georgia's combination of high humidity (often above 80%) and warm nighttime temperatures above 65°F creates ideal conditions for turf diseases, especially from May through September.

1. Circular Brown Patches

Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia solani) is the most common lawn disease in Georgia, affecting Bermuda, Zoysia, and tall fescue. Look for circular areas of dead or dying grass ranging from a few inches to several feet in diameter. The patches often appear overnight after warm, humid nights when temperatures stay above 65°F.

According to the Clemson Cooperative Extension, Brown Patch is most active when nighttime temperatures range from 65–75°F and the grass stays wet for more than 10 consecutive hours. In central Georgia, this typically means late May through September.

Key identifier: A "smoke ring" border — a thin ring of dark, water-soaked grass at the outer edge of the patch, most visible in early morning.

2. Dollar-Sized Spots

Dollar Spot (Clarireedia jacksonii) creates small, silver-dollar-sized straw-colored spots across your lawn. This fungus thrives when nights are cool (60–70°F), dew is heavy, and nitrogen levels are low. You may also notice white cobweb-like mycelium on the grass blades in early morning before the dew dries.

Dollar Spot is especially common in under-fertilized lawns. According to UGA Extension research, maintaining proper nitrogen levels through regular fertilization is one of the most effective preventive measures against Dollar Spot.

3. Gray or White Powder on Blades

Gray Leaf Spot (Pyricularia grisea) appears as a gray or white powdery coating on grass blades, often with dark brown lesions. This disease is especially common in St. Augustinegrass but also affects perennial ryegrass and tall fescue. Shaded areas with poor air circulation are most vulnerable.

Gray Leaf Spot thrives in temperatures above 80°F combined with high humidity and frequent rainfall — conditions central Georgia sees throughout summer. Overwatering and excessive nitrogen fertilization increase susceptibility.

4. Slimy or Greasy-Looking Grass

Pythium Blight is the most aggressive lawn disease in Georgia, capable of destroying large areas of turf in just 24–48 hours under the right conditions. Look for areas that appear dark, water-soaked, or greasy, often with white cottony growth visible in early morning.

Pythium Blight strikes when daytime temperatures exceed 85°F, nighttime temps stay above 68°F, and humidity is high. According to the University of Georgia, poorly drained areas and lawns that are watered in the evening are most at risk. This is the one disease where immediate professional treatment is critical — waiting even a few days can result in widespread damage.

5. Rings of Dark Green Grass

Fairy Ring appears as circular rings of unusually dark green grass, sometimes accompanied by mushrooms growing along the ring. The rings are caused by fungi breaking down organic matter in the soil, releasing nitrogen that stimulates growth in a ring pattern.

While not always destructive to the grass itself, Fairy Ring can cause the soil to become hydrophobic (water-repellent), leading to dry spots within the ring that stress the turf. The rings also create unsightly patterns that worsen over time.

What To Do

If you spot any of these symptoms, act quickly — most lawn diseases spread rapidly in Georgia's warm, humid conditions. Professional fungus and mold control treatments are the most effective solution because proper identification determines which active ingredient works.

GopherTurf Service Areas

We provide fungus and mold control across central Georgia, including Pike County, Henry County, Newton County, Clayton County, Butts County, Jasper County, and Morgan County. View all service areas.

At GopherTurf, we identify the specific disease affecting your lawn and apply targeted treatments to stop it. Contact us for a lawn assessment.