Florida lawns have a way of hiding their stress. One day your turf looks lush and green, and the next, there are strange spots creeping across your yard. If you live in Tampa, you already know how our September weather plays a big role. High humidity, frequent rainfall, and lingering summer heat create the perfect environment for turf fungus to spread fast and do real damage.
At Green Solutions Lawn Care & Pest Control, we see fungal issues spike around this time of year. Most homeowners don't realize they’re dealing with fungus until their lawn is visibly declining. But with a trained eye, it’s possible to catch the signs early and take action before the damage becomes widespread. So how do you tell if your yard is dealing with a fungus?
At Green Solutions Lawn Care, we emphasize the importance of proactive measures in maintaining your lawn’s health. Ensuring your turf receives proper care from Green Solutions Lawn Care can significantly prevent fungal issues.
Strange Spots and Patchy Areas Don't Ignore These Signs
Your lawn won’t announce that it’s under fungal attack. Most signs start subtly and grow quickly if left untreated. Here are the most common symptoms we look for when inspecting a Tampa lawn in early fall:
If you notice signs of fungal growth, contact Green Solutions Lawn Care immediately. Our team will assess your lawn and recommend the best treatments.
Patches that change color: Yellow, brown, or even grayish spots that grow in size or merge into large areas.
Irregular patterns: Fungal infections rarely follow neat lines. Look for streaks, rings, or inconsistent patches.
Blades that collapse or rot: Grass may look healthy one day and suddenly wilt or feel slimy the next.
Uneven growth: Certain spots bounce back after mowing while others thin out or stay flat.
Persistent damage despite care: If you're watering and mowing properly, and the lawn still looks off, fungus could be the reason.
These signs don’t always show up all at once. Some may only appear in shaded spots or areas with poor drainage. But once a fungus takes hold, it spreads fast.
Green Solutions Lawn Care has extensive experience in dealing with various types of lawn fungi, and we are here to help.
Different fungi thrive under different conditions, and knowing which one you're dealing with helps target the right treatment. Here are the top three lawn diseases we treat in the Tampa area, especially during September.
This disease thrives in warm, moist conditions and mostly affects St. Augustine and zoysia grasses.
Starts as small brown or tan circles that expand outward
Most active in early fall when nights are cooler and soil stays warm
Often appears in the same areas year after year
Loves overwatered or heavily thatched lawns
Large patch gets worse after rainfall, which means September is prime time for this one to surface. If your lawn suddenly shows circular discolored patches, especially after storms, this is often the culprit.
Green Solutions Lawn Care provides tailored solutions to combat large patch effectively.
Despite its name, dollar spot can merge into larger areas if not addressed quickly. It usually starts with small spots that look bleached or dry.
Common in bermudagrass and zoysia
Appears as small, round tan spots about the size of a coin
Spots often have a reddish or brown border
Frequently found in lawns with low nitrogen or poor air circulation
Dollar spot spreads fast with dew and rainfall. If you notice these dry patches first thing in the morning, fungus is likely to blame.
This is a disease that loves St. Augustine grass and thrives in high humidity. It’s often mistaken for drought stress, which makes it tricky to catch early.
Causes small gray or tan lesions on individual blades
Leads to blades collapsing or developing a blighted look
Worsens with too much nitrogen or poor drainage
Often appears after frequent rainfall or summer storms
If your lawn looks stressed even with proper watering and care, gray leaf spot may be to blame. This one often tricks homeowners because it mimics other lawn problems.
During September, trust Green Solutions Lawn Care to monitor your lawn's health and prevent fungal outbreaks.
By the time we hit September, lawns in the Tampa Bay area have endured months of heat. But the air cools just enough to increase humidity while the soil stays warm. That combination fuels fungal growth almost overnight.
High humidity levels linger after summer storms, creating a damp environment perfect for fungal spores to grow.
Heavy rainfall saturates the soil and washes away protective treatments or fertilizers, leaving the grass vulnerable.
Warm soil temperatures help fungi stay active underground and spread faster.
Low air movement in dense lawns keeps moisture trapped close to the blades, making infection more likely.
Even healthy lawns are vulnerable in these conditions. That’s why we encourage homeowners to monitor their yards closely this month. This is peak season for fungal flare-ups.
You don’t need to be a turf expert to spot the early warning signs. Use this method to examine your lawn and rule out or confirm a potential fungal infection.
Step 1: Get on eye level: Walk out to the problem area and take a close look at the grass blades. Fungal lesions often show up as tiny spots or streaks on individual blades.
Step 2: Press the turf: Is the area soft or spongy under your feet? That could indicate root rot or moisture build-up below the surface.
Step 3: Smell the area: Healthy grass has a clean, earthy smell. If it smells sour, musty, or moldy, fungus may be active.
Step 4: Monitor progression: Take photos every day for a few days. If the area grows larger or changes color quickly, that’s another strong indicator of disease.
If you’re still unsure after these steps, it’s time to bring in the pros. Our team can identify the issue and build a customized plan to treat it fast.
It’s easy to misdiagnose lawn damage. Here are a few problems that mimic fungus but need completely different treatment:
Identifying the right issue is crucial, which is why Green Solutions Lawn Care recommends consulting with our experts.
Dry spots from sprinkler misalignment: These often form perfect shapes and respond quickly to watering.
Dog urine burns: Typically have a yellow center with a dark green ring around the outside.
Grub damage: Turf feels loose or pulls up like a rug. You’ll also see beetles or white larvae under the surface.
Mowing damage: If your mower blade is dull or set too low, it can scalp the turf and cause browning.
Diagnosing the wrong issue wastes time and money. We always recommend a professional lawn inspection from us here at Green Solutions Lawncare & Pest Control before starting any treatments.
By following best practices with Green Solutions Lawn Care, you can effectively prevent conditions that foster fungal growth.
Fungus is opportunistic because it needs the right combination of moisture, warmth, and weakness in the turf. Here are a few things that often make matters worse without you realizing it.
Watering your lawn at night keeps the grass blades wet for too long, especially when the air is still and humid. This extended dampness creates an ideal breeding ground for fungal spores to grow and spread overnight.
Scalping your lawn by mowing too low strips the blades of their natural defense and exposes the soil to the elements. This not only stresses the grass but also creates easier access for fungus to infect weakened areas.
Applying too much nitrogen can overstimulate fast, soft growth, which is exactly what fungal diseases target. These tender blades lack resilience and quickly show signs of infection in the presence of moisture and heat.
A thick thatch layer traps heat and moisture just above the soil, locking in the conditions fungi love. It also blocks air circulation and reduces the effectiveness of fungicide treatments or water drainage.
Many fungal outbreaks go unnoticed in the early stages and worsen quickly when not addressed. Regular lawn inspections help catch subtle changes in color, growth pattern, or texture before the damage spreads.
Green Solutions Lawn Care is dedicated to providing the best solutions for your lawn fungus treatment needs.
We don’t believe in guesswork. Our team takes a methodical approach to diagnosing and treating fungal diseases in Tampa lawns. Here’s what our process looks like:
On-site diagnosis to confirm the type of fungus
Customized fungicide treatments based on your lawn’s condition
Adjustments to mowing, watering, and fertilization to prevent recurrence
Clear guidance on what to do post-treatment
With Green Solutions Lawn Care, you will receive clear guidance on maintaining your lawn's health post-treatment.
We also track local conditions year-round. If we see a spike in cases of large patch or gray leaf spot across the area, we notify clients and help them stay ahead of the problem.
Keeping your lawn healthy during peak fungus season isn’t about one single fix. It’s a mix of smart habits and ongoing care. Here's how you can reduce your risk moving forward:
Water early in the morning, not after dark
Mow your grass at the right height for the species
Avoid heavy fertilization in late summer or early fall
Schedule an annual lawn inspection before fungus season begins
Aerate your lawn to improve air circulation and water absorption
At Green Solutions Lawn Care, we stress the importance of aerating your lawn to promote health and prevent fungal growth.
Keep mower blades clean and sharp
Monitor shady, low-lying areas for early signs of disease
We help you build the right plan for your lawn and keep it healthy, strong, and green all year round.
Green Solutions Lawn Care offers tailored plans to keep your lawn healthy and green all year round.
September is the worst month to ignore signs of lawn fungus in Tampa. If you're noticing odd patches, streaks, discoloration, or signs of distress, now is the time to act. Fungus spreads quickly in our local climate, and delaying treatment only makes recovery harder.
At Green Solutions Lawn Care, we specialize in treating large patch, dollar spot, gray leaf spot, and more. Our trained team knows the exact conditions Tampa lawns face, and we use proven treatments to protect your turf and restore its health. Let us catch the problem early and get your lawn looking better than ever at Green Solutions Lawn Care. Schedule your professional lawn assessment today. We’ll check for signs of fungus, create a plan tailored to your lawn, and help you reclaim your outdoor space.
Contact us today and receive a free estimate for any of our lawn care & lawn treatment services. We are Tampa, Florida's number one provider for all lawn care and green pest removal services.
Green Solutions Lawn Care & Pest Control
4002 Garden LnTampa, Florida 33610
Phone: 813-684-7336
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Green Solutions is proud to offer our customers over fifty years of industry experience and is confident that we hold the solution to your lawn and pest problems.
Our Staff is readily available to provide lawn and pest assessments and to make sound recommendations.
The best lawn care professionals in Tampa Bay, Florida. I use them every other month, and will continue to!
Mark Hamilton, Customer
March 22, 2013
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