Ascochyta Blight is a common but minor turf grass disease. Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass are the most common grasses in our area. They are very suscepticble to attack from certain species of the fungus Ascochyta.
Periods of wet weather or frequent watering favor Ascochyta, which survives in the thatch layer of lawns. The grass leaves are effected especially during late spring and early summer. The fungus enters through freshly cut grass leaf ends and grows at the base of the leaves. Frequent mowing, particularly with a dull mower blade, increases infection.
Ascochyta Blight may cause large areas of turf to appear off color but it may also appear only in localized patches. Indiviudal leaves die from the tip and take on a bleached color, resembling injury from a dull mower blade. 
Ascochyta blight injury is seldom extensive, so control measures are rarely necessary. No fungicides are registered specifically for use against Ascochyta blight; yet, most broad spectrum turf grass fungicides will provide some amount of protection.
Recommended Treatment:
1. Sharpen Mower Blade
2. Water 1-1 1/2 inches water weekly
3. Raise mower height
4. Lawn will recover after 3-4 mowings.
Symptoms: Matted areas in lawn that appear to be water soaked. At times, can appear gray-toned in color, or a white cobweb growth on surface.
Conditions: These terms are used to describe damage done to lawns over winter. Winter kill can be caused by dehydrated turf untreated diseases. Snow mold, caused from snow sitting on unfrozen turf which can make lawn appear water soaked and matted down.
Recommended Treatment: Areas need to be lightly raked up to allow air into those matted areas.
We also recommend using proper watering and mowing practices.
Symptoms: Red Thread and pink patch are common for the grass types in this area. The leaves often become covered with pink, fibrous growth, and in the final stage, reddish fungal threads are found it the leaf tips.
Conditions: The conditions that favor this disease are 60-75 in air tempuratures in combination with periods of high humidty and slow-growing nitrogen deficient turfs.
Recommended Treatment: A fungicide treatment is recommended for curing this disease. A core aeration is also helpful with diseases. In severe cases, a second fungicide treatment may be necessary.
We also recommend using proper watering and mowing practices.
Symptoms: Brown spots generally 2-3 inches in diameter will appear in the lawn. Grass blades will have tan leisions hour glass shaped with dark borders.
Conditions: The conditions that favor this disease are excessive thatch, high humidity, and high tempuratures.
Recommended Treatment: A fungicide treatment is recommended for curing this disease. A core aeration is also helpful with diseases. In severe cases, a second fungicide treatment may be necessary.
We also recommend using proper watering and mowing practices.
Symptoms: Patch diseases can be caused by fungi, appearing as brown circles with a green patch in the center. It is commonly said to look like “frog’s eye”. Once established, these can be very difficult to control.
Conditions: The conditions that favor patch diseases are excessive thatch, high humidity, and high tempuratures.
Recommended Treatment: Fungicide treatments are recommended to slow down and possibly stop the spread of these diseases. Core aerations are also helpful. In severe cases, a second fungicide treatment may be necessary.
The areas with the rings will need to be reseeded. The grass will not come back on it’s own.
We also recommend using proper watering and mowing practices.
Symptoms: This is one of the most common diseases for this area. Leaf spot begins with small, dark spots on the leaves and leaf sheaths. As the spots enlarge, they turn purple with a tan center. If this disease progresses, the spots may cause a collapse of the plant, leading to thinning ot “melting out” of the turf.
Conditions: The conditions that favor during cool, moist weather and causes yellowing and severe thinning if not controlled.
Recommended Treatment: Core aerations are helpful. Most importantly, continue with proper watering and mowing practices. Occasionally, a fungicide treatment may be needed.