Orange Dust on Your Lawn? It Might Be Rust Fungus
- Danny at Spring Touch
- Jun 24
- 2 min read
Ever walked across your lawn and noticed orange or rust-colored powder on your shoes or mower? That’s not just dirt—it could be Rust, a common lawn fungus that tends to sneak in as the growing season winds down.
While it’s one of the milder lawn diseases, Rust can still weaken your grass and make it more vulnerable to other problems. The good news? It’s easy to spot—and even easier to treat with the right care.
How to Identify Rust in Your Lawn
Rust fungus usually looks like:
A powdery, orange or rusty coating on grass blades
Tiny spots or full coverage across the blade
Grass that appears thin, dull, or discolored
Rust-colored dust on your shoes, lawn mower, or pets after walking through the yard
It typically shows up from mid-summer through fall, especially when grass growth has slowed and the weather is warm and humid.
For more visuals and technical info, check out this guide from Iowa State University and Purdue University:
Where and Why Rust Shows Up
Rust loves:
Shady spots in the yard
Lawns that stay wet for too long
Overwatered areas or those with poor drainage
Grass types like Kentucky Bluegrass and Perennial Ryegrass—two of the most common in Minnesota
It’s most likely to pop up when your lawn is a bit stressed or underfed—especially late in the season.
What to Do About It
Step 1: Mow and rake regularly
Cutting the lawn regularly helps remove infected blades and improve airflow.
Step 2: Fertilize
A slow-release nitrogen fertilizer can give your grass the boost it needs to grow out of the infection.
Step 3: Water wisely
Water deeply and early in the day to allow the grass to dry out before nightfall. Avoid shallow, frequent watering.
Step 4: Still not sure if it's Rust? Send us a photo!
Not quite sure if it’s Rust or something else? Text us at (507) 934-5296 or email us a photo of the affected area at info@springtouchlawn.com, and we’ll help you diagnose the issue.
Recurring Rust Issues? Spring Touch Has You Covered.
While Rust usually clears up with better lawn care, it can become a recurring issue if the root cause isn’t addressed. That’s where we come in.
Spring Touch offers fungus control treatments and expert lawn care to help prevent Rust and other common diseases from returning—so you can enjoy a thicker, greener lawn.
