Drought is probably still the challenge in most areas. Slow growing grass due to lack of water or fertilizer plus the humid air favors the development of rust in late summer. Rust is easily diagnosed by the abundant orange, powdery spores produced on leaf blades. These rub off on the fingers and white shoes and socks. They are not harmful to animals or people.
Fungicides are helpful in severe conditions.
The good news is that the spores will not survive the winter. Rust rarely kills turf plants. The UMAss Turf Disease Diagnostic Lab will be closed for the week of August 31-September 7. This is an official page of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Campus.