Is this dollar spot? - Ask Extension
Hello. For the last month or so, I've had these brown spots appearing throughout my lawn. In looking online, I think that it is dollar spot, but I'm n...
Knowledgebase
Is this dollar spot? #913849
Asked August 13, 2025, 10:02 AM EDT
Hello. For the last month or so, I've had these brown spots appearing throughout my lawn. In looking online, I think that it is dollar spot, but I'm not sure. After heavy rains, yesterday, I woke up to all of those spots having white fuzzy stuff all over it. I'm assuming that it's mold. I do irrigate the lawn on a regular basis. I don't know if some kind of fungicide would be effective for getting rid of this or not. Any help on this would be appreciated.
Kent County Michigan
Expert Response
Thank you for your question. The lawn spots in your photos do look like Dollar Spot which sometimes presents mycelia (white fuzz in the morning). Learn more about dollar spot and its control in the attached links:
Turfgrass Disease Chart-OSU (read the statement under the title)
MSU Turf disease ID - select dollar spot
Purdue turf disease ID
Turf Diseases & Pests-PSU
https://turf.purdue.edu/dollar-spot/ - ID and controls
I also recommend doing a soil test if you haven't done one in the past 2-3 years. Knowing the type and fertility (pH, macro-nutrient levels, CEC, etc.) of your soil is the starting point to establishing & maintaining a strong/thick turf that can resist diseases, weeds, moss and insects/grubs and look great without wasting material or $. More info here: Don't Guess-Soil Test-MSU and MSU Home Soil Test-self mailer Soil test results will identify any fertility concerns that you can work to correct, to improve turf health (it’s a well spent $26). Your report will provide recommendations to correct deficiencies found, fertilizer type and a fertilization schedule.
Turfgrass Disease Chart-OSU (read the statement under the title)
MSU Turf disease ID - select dollar spot
Purdue turf disease ID
Turf Diseases & Pests-PSU
https://turf.purdue.edu/dollar-spot/ - ID and controls
I also recommend doing a soil test if you haven't done one in the past 2-3 years. Knowing the type and fertility (pH, macro-nutrient levels, CEC, etc.) of your soil is the starting point to establishing & maintaining a strong/thick turf that can resist diseases, weeds, moss and insects/grubs and look great without wasting material or $. More info here: Don't Guess-Soil Test-MSU and MSU Home Soil Test-self mailer Soil test results will identify any fertility concerns that you can work to correct, to improve turf health (it’s a well spent $26). Your report will provide recommendations to correct deficiencies found, fertilizer type and a fertilization schedule.
