Turf Tips

Facts about Lawn Brown Patches

Friday June 04, 2010 -

Facts About Lawn Brown Patches

The lawn brown patches you see are actually a pathogen that resides in your lawn all year long.

Whenever the temperature and humidity add up to 150 or more, conditions are right for Brown Patch to become active (usually in June, July, and August).

While the lawn brown patch pathogen feeds on excess nitrogen (fertilizer) it is not caused by it. At King GREEN, we stop using nitrogen on your lawn after round #2 for just this reason.

This disease first appears as a dark, water soaked area. Yellowish-brown lesions soon form on the leaf blades. The turf will then yellow, wither and die-sometimes in very large patches.

Do's for Lawn Brown Patches

Mow regularly (every 5-7 days) using a sharp blade (the fungus can enter leaf tips shredded by a dull blade).

Keep Fescue at 3"-4" in height

Water heavily (at leas 1") but infrequently (2x weekly except when the temperatures top 90 degrees), early in the morning is the best time.

Bag infected clipping and wash mower after use to prevent spreading.

Don'ts for Lawn Brown Patches

Add fertilizer, or ask us to add fertilizer. This will make the disease worse.

Think you will not be affected. The majority of Fescue lawns in Georgia and the Carolina's will be affected, whether it is minimal, or at a worse extent.

Forget that lush, well-maintained lawns tend to be hit first as the nitrogen levels are higher and there are few weeds to block the spread of the lawn brown patch disease.

Worry too much- Aeration and Seeding done in the fall will restore your lawn's appearance regardless of Brown Patch.

Forget that Fescue is a cool season grass and will never be at its peak during the hot weather.

Pricing for lawn Brown Patches
King GREEN's Fungicide Program consists of approximately 3 applications of fungicide about 28 days apart. If your lawn brown patches are an issue, please call a customer service representative and ask about the pricing for your lawn at 770-536-7611 or 704-532-6262.

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