The name comes from the silver-dollar sized straw-colored spots this disease causes on putting greens. On longer grass, the shapes are more irregular.

When dew is on the grass, look for a white, cob-webby fungus. Blades of grass show straw-colored lesions with reddish-brown borders. Of the common lawn grasses, bluegrass and fescues are most affected.

Prevention includes:

• Proper mowing. Maintain maximum height, if possible, and take off no more than a third of the height when mowing.
• Maintaining adequate moisture without overwatering. Minimize leaf wetness by watering early in the day.
• Avoiding excess nitrogen. Dollar spot occurs less on nitrogen-deficient turf.
• Choosing resistant varieties.