Dead Spots On Lawn

Spots of dead grass, about 2 inches (5cm) diameter, on a summer lawn are usually caused by 'Dollar Spot Disease'. Gradually, these coalesce into larger dead patches which are very disfiguring.

This is a fungal disease in which the leaves of the finer grasses (especially those of creeping red fescue and cumberland turf) die back in hot muggy weather. Normally occurring in August in the UK, last weekend's weather will have caused the problem.

CONDITION NOT TERMINAL
The condition is more cosmetic than terminal. Rake out the dead grass. Once the weather cools down, apply a feed if necessary. Things should then be fine.

Note that small dead spots can also be caused by other things such as petrol drips.