🌱 Lawn Under the Weather? Common Summer Lawn Diseases in Florida (And How to Treat Them)
From Westfall’s Lawn & Pest Control
Summer in Florida is great for beach days, barbecues, and unfortunately... lawn diseases. 😬
When the humidity is high and the rain won’t quit (hello, Sarasota and Manatee summers!), your grass can start to show some not-so-sunny signs: brown patches, thinning blades, and odd discoloration that makes your once-pristine lawn look like it caught a cold.
Before you blame your sprinkler or your dog, let’s talk about the real culprits: brown patch, dollar spot, and gray leaf spot. These fungal diseases love Florida’s summer weather and your lawn’s suffering might just be a sign they’ve moved in.
Don’t worry, Westfall’s Lawn and Pest Control is here to help you spot the symptoms and kick those fungi to the curb.
🍄 1. Brown Patch: The Sneaky Circle of Sad Grass
What it looks like: Large, circular patches of brown or yellow grass—usually 6 inches to several feet wide. The outer edge may look darker or even “smoked.”
When it strikes: Mostly during warm, humid nights (aka June through September in Florida). It loves St. Augustine and Zoysia grasses two of the most common turf types in Sarasota and Manatee.
Why it happens: Overwatering, poor drainage, or mowing too low can stress your lawn, making it vulnerable to this fungal foe.
How to treat it:
Let the area dry out fungus loves soggy conditions.
Avoid evening watering (mornings are better).
Call Westfall’s for professional fungicide treatments that knock it out fast and safely.
💵 2. Dollar Spot: The Expensive-Looking Problem (But It’s Fixable!)
What it looks like: Small, silver-dollar-sized bleached spots on your grass. They may join together to form larger patches over time.
When it strikes: Warm days and cool nights, especially when your lawn is low on nitrogen.
Why it happens: Lack of nutrients, high humidity, and mowing too short can make your lawn a prime target.
How to treat it:
A slow-release nitrogen fertilizer can help give your grass the nutrients it needs to bounce back.
Improve airflow with regular mowing and don’t bag every time mulching helps restore nutrients.
Let Westfall’s apply targeted fungicide treatments if the damage spreads.
Fun fact: Despite its name, Dollar Spot can cost you way more than a dollar in turf repair if left unchecked. 😅
🌫️ 3. Gray Leaf Spot: The Lawn’s Version of a Summer Cold
What it looks like: Tiny gray or tan spots with dark borders on grass blades. Affected areas may look scorched or thinned out.
When it strikes: Mid to late summer, especially in hot, wet conditions (basically every afternoon in Florida).
Why it happens: St. Augustine grass is especially vulnerable, particularly if it’s been over-fertilized or overwatered.
How to treat it:
Scale back nitrogen-heavy fertilizers.
Avoid watering in the evenings (again, morning watering is best).
Let Westfall’s apply the right fungicide based on your turf type, we’ve got the tools and local knowledge to treat it right the first time.
👨🔬 How Westfall’s Can Help
Let’s face it, fungal lawn diseases can be tricky. They don’t always look the same, and treating them without the right diagnosis can actually make things worse.
That’s where Westfall’s Lawn & Pest Control comes in. We know Florida lawns, and we know how to tackle fungus before it spreads. When you call us, we’ll:
Identify the specific disease affecting your lawn
Recommend a treatment plan tailored to your turf type and conditions
Apply professional-grade fungicides safely and effectively
Help you adjust watering, mowing, and fertilizing practices to prevent future outbreaks
🌴 Don’t Let Fungus Crash Your Summer
You worked hard for that green, lush lawn—don’t let some summer-loving spores take it over.
If you’re in Sarasota or Manatee County and your grass is looking a little… under the weather, call Westfall’s. We’ll diagnose, treat, and get your lawn looking like its sunny self again.
Westfall’s Lawn & Pest Control
📍 Local. Trusted. Fungus-fighting experts.
💚 Serving Sarasota & Manatee lawns one patch at a time.