Black patches - Ask Extension
I live in Dallas, OR. My lawn suddenly, overnight, is showing many small blackish patches, 3-6 inches diameter, Close up, I see each grass blade is a ...
Knowledgebase
Black patches #853723
Asked October 22, 2023, 1:43 PM EDT
I live in Dallas, OR. My lawn suddenly, overnight, is showing many small blackish patches, 3-6 inches diameter, Close up, I see each grass blade is a gooey concentration of very, very tiny egglike colonies, covering the length of most blades in the patch . I can wipe the goo off the grass blade and see no evidence of damage. Have never seen this in the lawn before. The patches seem random, showing in both sunny and shady areas. Thanks for your assessment. I think I can send a picture if you need it.
Polk County Oregon
Expert Response
Hello Russ,
If you reply to this message with images of your lawn, we will have a horticulture expert take a look and offer suggestions. Thank you!
See image just taken. What was a black patch has turned white. There are many of these patches, all of which changed color overnight. Should I treat these with anything? Thank you.
This is a slime mold. This organism is related to fungi. It's not a pathogen or 'bad' thing in the garden or lawn. Slime molds seem to pop up overnight and will dry and blow away in a matter of days. You can hasten this by spraying with a stream of water to break it up.
FYI: One of the common slime molds gets its name because it looks like dog vomit not because it is toxic to dogs. This article shows a more orange one but common is a yellow color. https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/slime-mold-looks-ugly-garden-does-no-harm
This must be the optimal conditions because your's is the third slime mold question I received today!
FYI: One of the common slime molds gets its name because it looks like dog vomit not because it is toxic to dogs. This article shows a more orange one but common is a yellow color. https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/slime-mold-looks-ugly-garden-does-no-harm
This must be the optimal conditions because your's is the third slime mold question I received today!
Thank you very much. Will take your advice and ignore the stuff. Out comes the lawn mower as soon as the grass is dry. Be well. --Russ
