Atlanta Spring Dead Spot Guide For Bermuda Lawns
That first warm stretch in Metro Atlanta can feel like a reward. Then Bermuda starts to green up and you spot it, stubborn tan circles that look like someone set down hot dinner plates.
Those patches are often Bermuda spring dead spot , a disease that shows up in spring, but usually starts months earlier. The good news is you can confirm what it is, avoid the common "panic fixes," and build a fall plan that lowers the odds of it coming back.
Quick Action Plan (save this, then go look at the lawn)
If you want the short version, use this order so you don't waste time or money.
- Confirm the pattern. Spring dead spot usually forms round patches, often 6 to 24 inches wide, sometimes with a donut look as edges wake up first.
- Flag the spots now. Take photos and mark them, because they fade as Bermuda fills in.
- Don't expect a spring fungicide to erase it. Spring symptoms reflect fall infection and winter injury, so spring sprays usually won't "cure" existing circles.
- Shift your focus to recovery. Rake out loose dead material, mow correctly, and feed only after real green-up begins.
- Plan fall prevention (Aug to Nov). Reduce thatch and compaction, avoid late heavy nitrogen, improve drainage, then consider a preventative fungicide program if the lawn has a history.
- When in doubt, get a diagnosis. UGA Extension resources and local turf pros can help confirm it before you treat.
Gotcha: if the lawn looked fine in October, that doesn't clear it. Spring dead spot can be "in the bank" from fall, then show up after winter.
What spring dead spot looks like on Bermuda in Metro Atlanta
In north and central Georgia, spring dead spot most often becomes obvious between late March and May, right when you expect the lawn to turn the corner. Instead, you see straw-brown circles that stay behind while surrounding Bermuda greens up.
Several clues help you spot it faster:
The patches tend to be fairly round , not random streaks. They can be single circles or clusters that merge into bigger blotches. In some yards, you'll notice a thin green ring around the outside first, because the edge warms and grows sooner.
Texture matters too. When you tug at the grass in the center, it often feels thin and brittle , with weak runners (stolons). The damaged area may also look slightly sunken because turf density dropped.
Location is another hint. Spring dead spot often favors parts of the yard that hold stress, such as:
- compacted clay near driveways and sidewalks
- low spots that stay wet longer
- areas with thicker thatch
- places that got pushed late in the season with nitrogen
Common Bermuda and hybrid Bermuda (like many sod lawns) can both get it. Hybrids often look better overall, but they aren't immune. The frustrating part is timing, because by early summer many patches partially fill in, which makes the root cause easy to forget until next spring.
Is it spring dead spot, or a look-alike? (Decision-tree diagnosis)
Use this quick decision tree before you treat. A wrong diagnosis is how lawns get injured in spring.
Step 1: Are the patches round and tied to green-up?
If patches are round and obvious during green-up , keep going. If damage looks like skid marks, stripes, or a mower-width pattern, suspect scalping or equipment issues first.
Step 2: Do you see a "donut" pattern starting?
If edges green up but centers stay tan, spring dead spot stays on the list. If the center is dark green with dead edges, think dog urine instead.
Step 3: Check the site history
If the same circles show up in the same places each spring , that's a classic spring dead spot clue. Random new patches across the lawn can point to other problems.
Step 4: Rule out common imposters
This table helps with the most common mix-ups in Atlanta Bermuda lawns.
| What you see | More likely spring dead spot | More likely something else |
|---|---|---|
| Round patches that lag during green-up | Yes | Sometimes |
| Straight lines, same width as mower | No | Scalping or mowing height issues |
| Small dead spot with dark green ring | Rare | Dog urine |
| Turf pulls up like loose carpet | Sometimes | Grubs or severe root injury |
| Worse in soggy areas and low spots | Often | Drainage problems can also cause winter injury |
If you suspect scalping or uneven mowing, fix that first, because it can make every disease look worse. This mowing heights for Atlanta Bermuda lawns guide helps you set a realistic height for your mower and your terrain.
If the lawn is greening up, but you're also seeing active leaf spotting as the weather warms, you may have a different issue entirely. Use this Atlanta summer lawn diseases guide to separate spring dead spot from in-season fungi.
Prevention and recovery calendar (Aug to Jun) for Bermuda spring dead spot
Spring dead spot management works best when you treat it like a two-part problem: reduce fall infection risk, then help Bermuda recover once it's growing.
Here's a simple seasonal calendar to keep you on track.
| Season | Goal | What to do (homeowner-friendly) |
|---|---|---|
| Aug to Nov (prevention) | Lower disease pressure before winter | Keep mowing consistent, avoid "boom" nitrogen late, improve drainage, reduce thatch and compaction, consider preventative fungicides if the lawn has a history |
| Dec to Feb (monitoring) | Avoid extra winter stress | Minimize traffic on frosty turf, prevent standing water, plan spring mow height and mower blade sharpening |
| Mar to Jun (recovery) | Help Bermuda fill back in | Light rake to open the canopy, resume mowing rhythm, fertilize only after steady green-up, water deeply but not often, plug or sod once growth is strong |
Fall fungicides (examples, not brands)
If spring dead spot has been a repeat visitor, preventative fungicides in fall can help. Timing matters more than product names, because spring symptoms usually reflect what happened in fall.
UGA Extension turf publications commonly emphasize preventative fall applications and a multi-application approach in problem lawns. Homeowners should treat that as a signal to plan early, not to chase it in April.
For active ingredient examples, turf programs often use rotations that may include:
- DMI (FRAC 3) examples: propiconazole, myclobutanil
- QoI (FRAC 11) examples: azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin
- SDHI (FRAC 7) examples: fluxapyroxad (used in some turf products)
Rotate FRAC groups when the label allows it, because repeating one class can raise resistance risk. Also follow label directions on watering-in, intervals, and protective gear. Keep applications off hard surfaces to reduce runoff, and stay well back from storm drains.
Spring recovery that actually helps
In spring, think "rehab," not "rescue." First, remove loose dead material with a light rake so sun hits the crowns. Next, start mowing at the right height as soon as the lawn is growing enough to need it.
If you want a step-by-step warm-season wake-up sequence, follow this Atlanta Bermuda spring green-up plan. It's especially helpful if you're tempted to fertilize early. Pushing nitrogen too soon can feed weeds and stress tender turf.
Meanwhile, expect weeds to move into thin circles. Spot-treat only when Bermuda is active, and match products to your turf and temperatures. This Atlanta weed control calendar for Bermuda helps you avoid the common spring mistakes.
Conclusion
Those ugly spring circles can feel personal, but they're usually a delayed reaction to fall and winter stress. Focus on confirming the pattern, supporting recovery in spring, then putting most of your effort into fall prevention. If the same areas keep returning, treat the site issues (thatch, compaction, drainage) first, then consider a carefully timed, label-following fungicide plan. Next spring, you want the lawn to green up like a solid blanket, not a patchwork quilt.
