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Check these first
- Look for circular patterns in the grass.
- Check if the grass stays wet overnight.
- Inspect the blades for specific fungal lesions.
Likely causes
Brown Patch Fungus
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see circular patches of grass that turn yellow then brown. The blades often have dark, irregular borders.
What to do: Avoid watering in the evening so the grass stays dry overnight. Apply a lawn fungicide labeled for Brown Patch if the infection spreads.
Leaf Spot Disease
PossibleHow to tell: Small dark spots appear on the blades, often with a lighter center. These spots can cause the leaf to wither.
What to do: Increase airflow by thinning out nearby shrubs or trees. Remove clippings if the lawn is heavily infected to stop the spread of spores.
Find out what's wrong with your tall fescue
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
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When to worry
Small spots are manageable, but large circular patches indicate a serious fungal outbreak. Act quickly when you see the circles forming.
Stopping it coming back
Water in the early morning so the sun dries the blades quickly. Keep your lawn mowed at a height of 3 to 4 inches to improve air circulation.
Tall fescue: spots? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your tall fescue and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
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Questions people ask
- Will the grass grow back after Brown Patch?
- Yes, the grass usually recovers once the weather cools down. You may need to overseed bare spots in the fall.
- Is it safe to mow over infected areas?
- It is better to mow the healthy parts of the lawn first. Clean your mower deck after finishing to avoid spreading fungal spores.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Tall fescue
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.