Spring Dead Spot: Identification and Treatment in Georgia
Spring dead spot kills bermuda roots in fall but the damage doesn’t show until spring. Learn why fall fungicide timing is the only way to prevent it.
Disease profile
What Is Spring Dead Spot?
Spring dead spot is the most damaging disease of bermuda grass in the transition zone. The fungus attacks the roots, stolons, and rhizomes during fall when soil temperatures are between 50°F and 70°F, but you won’t see the damage until spring green-up. Circular dead spots remain brown while the rest of the lawn greens up, and those dead areas are prime real estate for weeds.
Symptoms
How to Identify Spring Dead Spot
Circular, bleached-out dead patches visible during spring green-up
Patches range from 6 inches to 3 feet in diameter
Dead areas remain brown long after surrounding bermuda has greened up
Roots, stolons, and rhizomes in affected areas are dark, rotted, and brittle
Patches often appear in the same locations year after year
Weeds quickly colonize the dead spots
Conditions
What Causes Spring Dead Spot
Favorable Conditions
Fall soil temperatures between 50°F and 70°F
Excessive thatch accumulation (over ½ inch)
High soil pH (above 6.5) or excessive potassium
Over-fertilization with nitrogen in late summer or fall
Compacted soil with poor drainage
Lawns with 3+ years of established bermuda (rarely appears in newly sodded lawns)
Susceptible Grass Types
Treatment
How to Prevent and Treat Spring Dead Spot
Cultural Prevention
Reduce thatch through regular core aeration and vertical mowing
Lower soil pH if above 6.5 — acidifying fertilizers like ammonium sulfate help
Avoid excessive nitrogen and potassium in late summer and fall
Improve drainage in areas where spring dead spot recurs
Mow at proper height to reduce thatch accumulation
Professional Treatment
We apply preventive fungicide in early to mid-fall when soil temperatures are between 60°F and 70°F — that’s when the fungus is most active. Applications need to reach the root zone, so aeration before treatment improves results. A second application 28 days later provides extended protection. By the time you see dead spots in spring, the damage was done months ago — curative treatment in spring doesn’t work.
Left untreated
What Happens Without Treatment
Dead patches expand slightly each year and may merge into larger dead areas. The bermuda struggles to fill back in because the roots and rhizomes are killed. Weeds take over the dead spots during spring and summer, and by the next spring, the patches are even larger. Without treatment, the cycle accelerates until major sections of the lawn are compromised.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Spring Dead Spot
Why are there dead circles in my bermuda lawn every spring?
That’s spring dead spot. The fungus attacks during fall when you can’t see it, and the damage doesn’t show until spring green-up. The dead circles appear in the same spots each year and slowly expand.
Can I treat spring dead spot in the spring?
No. By the time you see the damage in spring, the fungus has been dormant for months. Treatment must happen in fall when the fungus is active and soil temps are between 60°F and 70°F. Spring is too late.
How long does it take for dead spots to fill back in?
Bermuda typically fills in dead spots by mid-summer, but large patches take longer. The areas are vulnerable to weed invasion during recovery. Treating the disease in fall prevents new damage, and the existing spots gradually recover.
Does aeration help with spring dead spot?
Absolutely. Core aeration reduces thatch (a major risk factor), improves drainage, and helps fungicide reach the root zone where the disease is active. We recommend aerating in early fall, right before fungicide applications.
Take action
Stop Spring Dead Spot Before It Spreads
Every day without treatment is another day the damage gets worse. Get professional disease control backed by our expert lawn care team.
