What is a Brown Patches?
Brown patch is a turfgrass disease caused by a fungus called Rhizoctonia solani. It is most common in Florida during the fall and winter months when temperatures are cooler and higher humidity.
Brown patches typically start as small, circular patches of dead grass. The patches can be a few inches to several feet in diameter. As the disease progresses, the patches can merge together to form larger areas of dead grass.
A few things can contribute to the development of brown patches. One is over-watering. If your lawn is watered too much, the grass blades will stay wet for too long, which creates an ideal environment for the fungus to grow. Another factor that can contribute to brown patches is poor drainage. If your lawn does not drain well, the water will pool on the surface, which can also lead to the development of the disease.
How to Prevent Brown Patches?
You can do a few things to prevent brown patches in Florida. One is to water your lawn deeply but infrequently. This will help to prevent the grass blades from staying wet for too long. You should also make sure that your lawn drains well. You may need to install a drainage system if you have poor drainage.
If You Get a Brown Patch
If you see a brown patch in your lawn, Collins recommends you act quickly to treat it. Make sure the correct fungicide is applied to resolve this problem as soon as possible. Delaying treatment will allow the brown patches to expand and kill more grass.
Fungicides come in many brands; selecting the proper fungicide and the right amount to apply can be confusing. You should also ensure that your sprinkler system is working correctly, the proper quantity of water is delivered to your lawn, and there is good drainage. A simple thing like a sprinkler setting for too much watering time for a zone with poor drainage can cause this problem.
If you are unsure how to treat brown patches, contact Collins Lawn and Shrub Care LLC. We will seek out the root cause of the problem, if possible, and recommend the best course of treatment. We will fix this problem and keep the brown patches from spreading and causing further damage.
Brown Patch symptoms on St. Augustinegrass, photo credit: M. L. Elliott, UF/IFAS
Here are Some Additional Tips to Help Prevent Brown Patches:
- Aerate your lawn regularly. This will help to improve drainage and reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
- Fertilize your lawn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Over-fertilizing can weaken your lawn and make it more susceptible to disease.
- Mow your lawn regularly. This will help to remove dead and diseased grass blades and improve air circulation.
- Rake up leaves and debris from your lawn. These can provide a breeding ground for pests and diseases.
- Keep your lawn free of weeds. Weeds can compete with your grass for water, nutrients, and sunlight, making it more susceptible to disease.
By following these tips, you can help to keep your lawn healthy and free of brown patches.