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
Leaf Spot is a lawn disease that attacks a wide variety of grass types across the United States. In northern climates, Leaf Spot damage occurs first in the spring and then again in late summer to early fall. In southern climates, the damage occurs from late spring through early winter. Severe cases of Leaf Spot may also be known as Melting Out.
Necrotic Ring Spot is an extremely serious lawn disease caused by the lawn fungus Ophiosphaerella korrae. Infection is common on high-maintenance lawns around the northern part of the United States and is particularly destructive on Kentucky Bluegrass. Seasonally, damage to your lawn or yard usually occurs in spring and then again in late fall through early winter.
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.
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.
Perennial Ryegrass is a cool-season turf grass that is known for its rapid germination and establishment, tolerance to traffic, and resistance to insects and stress. This competitive grass is also well-adapted to moderate temperatures, leading to Perennial Ryegrass being mixed with Kentucky Bluegrass for use in home lawns, schools and parks. This turf grass can be found in lawns throughout North America, though it is less common in Florida, Texas and other southern parts of the United States.
Seashore Paspalum is aptly named due to its high tolerance for salt. This, along with its other desirable turf grass characteristics, makes it a favorite for areas where either the soil or irrigation water has a high salt content.
St. Augustinegrass is a warm-season turf grass that grows quickly in the summer months before slowing in the spring and fall. St. Augustinegrass offers a particularly coarse and spongy feel. Out of all of the warm-season grasses, St. Augustinegrass is the most shade-tolerant, though it isn't typically recommended for high-traffic areas. Instead, it is often used for decorative lawns and other general purpose lawns throughout the southeastern United States.
Zoysiagrass is a warm-season turf grass commonly found in the transition and southern zones of the United States. This coarse- to medium-textured turf grass offers an attractive dense canopy and apple-green color, making it a common choice for curb appeal.
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 Masked Chafer is a common lawn pest that attacks many different types of grass throughout the United States, stopping short of the northernmost parts of the Canadian border states. Also known as Cyclocephela spp., most of the damage caused by this grub occurs during September and early October.
The Two-Lined Spittlebug is a jumping, flying, lawn-destroying insect known for attacking Centipedegrass, Bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass, Bahiagrass and various Ryegrasses. Also known as Prosapia bicinata, this lawn pest can be found in much of the southeastern United States, from parts of Texas to North Carolina.
The May/June Beetle is a fairly large lawn pest that can be found in many different kinds of turf grasses throughout all parts of North America. Also known as Phyllophaga spp., the grub stage of this lawn-damaging insect draws predators who can also damage lawns.
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 invasive Oriental Beetle is a lawn pest that is native to Asia. Also known as Exomala orientalis, this lawn-damaging insect is now a common intruder in many different types of grasses throughout parts of the northeastern United States. All of the lawn damage is caused by grubs and mostly occurs during the autumn months.
The Winter Grain Mite is a relatively large lawn pest that can do seasonal damage to lawns throughout much of North America. Also known as Penthaleus major, this lawn pest commonly attacks Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, Fescues and Creeping Bentgrass.
Annual Bluegrass is an annual grassy weed that is also known as Annual Meadowgrass, Annual Spear-grass, Wintergrass, "Poa" or its scientific name, Poa annua.
What is Doveweed (Murdannia Nudiflora) - Murdannia nudiflora
What is Doveweed (Murdannia Nudiflora)
Doveweed is a summer annual grassy weed that is also known as Naked Stem Dewflower, or by its scientific name, Murdannia nudiflora. This lawn weed is a common invader of home yards.
Egyptian Crabgrass is a summer annual grassy weed that is also known as Crowfootgrass, Durban Crowfootgrass or by its scientific name, Dactyloctenium aegyptium. This lawn weed is named for its crow's foot-like seed head.
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.
Our experts really know their stuff. They can help you pick a plan, tailor it to your needs, and give you a quote based on your property’s size and location.
Let’s talk lawn.
Before we chat, we need some info to get the ball rolling.
* Required Information
Thanks! We'll be in touch.
One of our experts will get back to you as soon as possible.
US/EN
CA/EN
Branch Finder
