Circular, sunken patches of straw-colored grass, no bigger than the size of a silver dollar. While an American coin inspired the name dollar spot, it’s only fitting that this lawn fungus comes with a cost. Dollar spot can spread fast, if you don’t treat it. It will eat away at grass roots.  Bare spots will start developing throughout your lawn, which will become a breeding ground for weeds and pests.

In the event that a lawn becomes infected, the best way to get dollar spot under control is the use of fungicides. Some fungicides on the market are of course more effective than others — and we’re here to help make those distinctions.

Boscalid & Flutolanil

Boscalid and flutolanil are two fungicides that can effectively treat dollar spot in the short term. From a long-term perspective, however, the story changes. There is a high risk that dollar spot will adapt to the boscalid and flutolanil over time and essentially learn how to outsmart their control measures. So even if more fungicides are applied, dollar spot will grow in spite of them.

Chlorothalonil & Mancozeb

Unlike boscalid and flutolanil, chlorothalonil and mancozeb are at low risk for dollar spot becoming resistant to them. While this bodes well for the long-term stability of the products, the problem is that neither of these fungicides is particularly effective in the first place. So while the fungicides will deliver the same results over time, these results tend to be lackluster.

Propiconazole & Fludioxonil

Propiconazole and fludioxonil offer the best of both worlds — high effectiveness with a low risk of lawn disease resistance. In other words, these fungicides effectively kill dollar spot fast so it doesn’t have an opportunity to adapt to disease control measures and work around them. This happens because propiconazole and fludioxonil penetrate tissues. This provides long-lasting, systemic control from the grass roots to the top of the plants.

The Lush Lawn Treatment Plan for Dollar Spot

At Lush Lawn & Safari Tree, we use the most effective fungicides on the market (propiconazole and fludioxonil) to remove dollar spot from yards across Michigan. For best results, we apply these fungicide sprays multiple times a year. This ensures each spray covers an extensive area to eradicate any sources of the lawn disease.

In many cases, dollar spot can leave behind a sea of bare spots in infected backyards. While unsightly in appearance, these bare spots offer an open invitation for insects and weeds to set up shop and cause subsequent lawn damage. With these concerns in mind, homeowners can also lean on our team for reseeding services. Laying down new grass seed can eliminate the patchy appearance of and introduce new healthy grass that helps crowd out pesky weeds.

There’s also a conversation to be had around fertilization. Among environmental conditions that can trigger the onset of dollar spot  — a list that includes poor soil moisture and excess thatch — low nitrogen levels in soil can be to blame. Nitrogen is the primary ingredient for plant growth. The root systems of plants become weak and less resistant to external forces without it. We offer nitrogen-rich fertilization services so grass retains essential nutrients for its health and is better equipped to ward off diseases like dollar spot.

Interested in learning more about how we can help keep your Michigan lawn beautiful and safe? Request a free quote today to get started.