Prevent dollar spot with adequate nitrogen and morning watering

What to Do

Maintain a consistent nitrogen fertilization schedule and water only in the early morning. Dollar spot is most common on under-fertilized, drought-stressed lawns that stay wet overnight.

Why It Works

Dollar spot (caused by Clarireedia fungi) creates silver-dollar-sized dead patches that merge into larger areas. It thrives when warm, humid days are followed by cool nights and the grass is nitrogen-deficient. Adequate nitrogen keeps the grass growing vigorously enough to outpace the fungus. Morning watering ensures blades dry quickly, reducing the leaf-wetness window the fungus needs.

Tips

• Dollar spot appears in late spring through early summer when temperatures fluctuate.
• If fungicide is needed, apply at first signs — fungicides work preventively, not curatively, on established infections.
• Reduce thatch to improve airflow at the soil surface.