Explore helpful resources for common lawn care topics — everything from grass types to weeds to diseases to pests.
Lawn Diseases
Turf Grasses
Lawn Pests
Grass Basics
Grassy Weeds
Broadleaf Weeds
Common Lawn Diseases
Powdery Mildew
Powdery Mildew - Erysiphe graminis
Powdery Mildew
For shaded lawns and landscaping, Powdery Mildew is a common lawn disease that primarily affects lawns in the northern United States from April through October.
Stripe Smut is a lawn disease that occurs during cooler weather and is more common in the northern parts of the country during the spring and fall. Caused by the lawn fungus Ustilago striiformis, this lawn disease may also show up in southern states during parts of the summer or anywhere during long periods of cool weather in the spring or fall.
Slime Mold is caused by thelawn fungus Mucilago spp. This nonparasitic lawn disease affects all types of warm- and cool-season grasses across the mainland of the United States, with damage typically occ+C14+C15
Pink Snow Mold stealthily develops underneath the cover of snow in colder climates. Also known as Fusarium Patch, this lawn disease attacks most types of cool-season grass in the northern part of the United States.
For shaded lawns and landscaping, Powdery Mildew is a common lawn disease that primarily affects lawns in the northern United States from April through October.
Pythium Blight is a common lawn disease that attacks highly maintained turf grass. Also called Pythium Root Rot, the lawn fungus responsible for this infection can affect a variety of types of grass throughout the United States, but it is much more common in the South. Pythium Blight damage occurs during summer months in the northern states and from early fall through late spring in the southern states.
Anthracnose is a lawn disease caused by the lawn fungus Colletotrichum cereal. Anthracnose strikes Annual Bluegrass and Creeping Bentgrass all over the country, occurring most in midwestern and northeastern states from April through November.
Ascochyta is a lawn disease that spreads rapidly, leaving large areas of bleached, blighted grass in its wake. Ascochyta attacks several different types of grass across the northern United States with most damage occurring during the summer.
Take-all Root Rot - Gaeumannomyces graminis var. graminis
Take-all Root Rot
Take-all Root Rot is a lawn disease that commonly attacks yards in the southeastern United States. Most damage occurs from early to late summer and is caused by the lawn fungus Gaeumannomyces graminis var. graminis.
Bermudagrass is a perennial grass that is also known as Couchgrass, Wiregrass, Devil’s-grass or by its scientific name, Cynodon dactylon. It often is viewed as a lawn weed when it displaces desirable types of grass and becomes difficult to eradicate.
Creeping Bentgrass is a perennial grass that is also known as Wire-grass Drop-seed or by its scientific name, Agrostis palustris. It is often considered to be a lawn weed when present among other grass species.
Fine fescue is a cool-season turf grass that is renowned for its low maintenance and adaptation to shady, moist and cool areas. It also doesn't require large amounts of nitrogen or moisture, making it a favorite turf grass for lawns, campsites and other public areas throughout most of the country (some southern states being the exception).
Tall Fescue is a cool-season turf grass that is well-adapted to either sunny or partially shaded areas. Known for its durability as well as its tolerance to traffic, heat and drought, it can be found in home lawns across North America. Certain varieties of Tall Fescue can contain endophytic fungi, which offer natural disease and insect resistance.
The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) is a planthopper insect known for causing significant damage to trees, vines, crops, and other types of plants. SLF is also a nuisance pest due to their size and tendency to congregate in large groups, which can be alarming to the general public. Also known as Lycorma delicatula, this invasive species is native to China, India, and Vietnam and was first detected in the United States in Berks County, Pennsylvania in 2014.
The Brood X Cicada, often referred to as the 17-year locust or periodical cicada, is an insect that emerges in large numbers after completing a 17-year life cycle underground. Cicadas are part of the hemiptera order of insects also known as ‘true bugs’. Most damage done by these insects is by slitting and flagging of twigs in order to deposit eggs. This generally has little effect on the overall health of mature trees. Brood X contains three separate species known as Magicicada septendecim, Magicicada cassinii and Magicicada septendecula. The next emerging population is expected in summer of 2021, affecting primarily eastern and upper Midwestern states.
White Grubs are an extremely common type of lawn-destroying insect that includes a number of different species. Also known as Scleranthus annuus, White Grubs can be found in all different types of grasses all across North America. Eventually, these lawn pests become beetles.
The Sugar Cane Beetle is a lawn-damaging insect that primarily feeds on sugar cane but can also cause damage in home lawns. Also known as Tomarus subtropicus, this lawn pest inhabits any area where sugar cane is grown, mainly along the Gulf Coast. Lawn damage is only caused by grubs and typically occurs from September through November.
The Tawny Mole Cricket is a lawn-damaging insect that is primarily found in the southern coastal states attacking Bahiagrass and Bermudagrass. Also known as Scapteriscus vicinus, this damage from this lawn pest usually occurs in late summer and early fall.
The Bluegrass Sod Webworm is a lawn-damaging insect known for attacking Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, Fine Fescue and Creeping Bentgrass. Also known as Parapediasia teterrella, this lawn pest infests yards as both a caterpillar and moth, affecting much of the Northeast and Midwest.
The Clover Mite is a tiny lawn-damaging pest that's actually a relative of two arachnids: the Spider and the Tick. Also known as Bryobia praetiosa, this lawn pest often invades homes and other indoor environments during the spring and fall months. The Clover Mite is found throughout much of North America and commonly affects Kentucky Bluegrass and Perennial Ryegrass.
The Bronze Cutworm is a lawn pest known for attacking Fine and Tall Fescues, all species of Bluegrass and Ryegrasses lacking endophytes (a type of fungus). Also known as Nephelodes mimians, this lawn-damaging insect can be found throughout much of the continental United States, though typically not farther west than the Rocky Mountains.
Nimblewill is a perennial grass that is also known by its scientific name, Muhlenbergia schreberi. This shade-loving grassy weed can become an aggressive lawn weed in undesired areas.
Quackgrass is a perennial grass-like weed that is also known as Creeping Quackgrass or by its scientific name, Agropyron repens. Because it is extremely difficult to eradicate once established, Quackgrass can be considered a lawn weed in yards where it's not desired.
Rough Bluegrass is a perennial grassy weed that is also known as Roughstalk Bluegrass or by its scientific name, Poa trivialis. This lawn weed is known for remaining green throughout the winter.
Green Foxtail is a clump-forming annual grassy weed that is also known as Green Bristlegrass or by its scientific name, Setaria viridis. This lawn weed gets its name from the appearance of its seed head.
Smutgrass is a perennial grassy weed that is also known as Sporobolus indicus or by its scientific name, Sporobolus poiretii. This lawn weed produces seeds that are often infected by a smutty fungus, lending this plant its name.
Green Kyllinga is a perennial grassy weed that is also known as Perennial Kyllinga, Shortleaf Spike Sedge or by its scientific name, Kyllinga brevifolia. This lawn weed thrives in moist soils.
Star of Bethlehem is a perennial grassy weed that is also known as Spring Starflower or by its scientific name, Ipheion uniflorum. This lawn weed is poisonous and can smell like onions.
Hairy Crabgrass is a summer annual grassy weed that is also known as Large Crabgrass or by its scientific name, Digitaria sanguinalis. These types of lawn weeds often require a professional application of a select crabgrass killer.
Stinkgrass is an annual grassy weed that is also known by its scientific name, Eragrostis cilianensis. This lawn weed is named for the foul odor it emits when damaged.
Tropical Chickweed is a warm-season annual broadleaf weed that is also known as Heartleaf Drymary and West Indian Chickweed. Its scientific name is Drymaria cordata.
Virginia Peppergrass can grow either as a winter or summer annual broadleaf weed. This versatile plant is also commonly known as Virginia Pepperweed, Virginia Peppercress, Poor-man’s Pepper and Pepper-grass. Its scientific name is Lepidium virginicum.
Orange Hawkweed is a perennial broadleaf weed that is also known as Orange Paintbrush, Red Daisy, Missionary Weed or its scientific name, Hieracium aurantiacum.
Shepherd's Purse is a winter annual broadleaf weed that is also commonly known as Shepherd\'s-bag, Pepper Plant, Case Weed, Shepherd\'s Purse Herb and Pick-purse. Its scientific name is Capsella bursa-pastoris.
Creeping Oxalis is a creeping summer perennial broadleaf weed that is also commonly known as Creeping Woodsorrel, Oxalis and Sourgrass. Its scientific name is Oxalis corniculata.
Florida Pellitory most commonly grows as an annual broadleaf weed, but it can sometimes grow as a perennial broadleaf weed. This versatile plant is also known by its scientific name, Parietaria floridana.
Oxalis is a perennial broadleaf weed that is also known as Common Yellow Oxalis, Yellow Woodsorrel, Sourgrass, Sheepsorrel and Toadsorrel. Its scientific name is Oxalis stricta.
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