Type: Disease, fungus

Fungal Pathogen: Rhizoctonia fungus

Appearance: It starts out as circular areas of brown and dead grass sometimes surrounded by a narrow, dark ring; It grows out from a central point, enlarging rapidly.

Risk: It attacks many types of grass, in particular those receiving fast-release nitrogen fertilizer; it also favors stressed out lawns, like those with injuries from mowing

Timing: Brown patch appears overnight! It favors hot weather, around 80 to 85 degrees, and high humidity.

Outlook: Brown patch is one of the most destructive of lawn diseases. It quickly creates dead patches in your lawn

How to Control Brown Patch

Prevention

Be mindful of your mowing technique. Brown patch favors grass blades that are injured, often from improper mowing. Use these tips to help you make the most of your mowing efforts:

• Mow early in the day, ideally mid- to late-morning. The temperatures should still be cool, but the morning dew should have dried by the time you start.
• Put less stress on your grass by mowing in opposite directions each week.
• Abide by the 1/3 rule: set your mower to a cutting height that removes no more than 1/3 of the grass blade.
• Sharpen your lawn mower’s blade at least once a season. Dull blades can shred grass blades rather than cleanly cutting it, which weakens the grass and makes it more vulnerable to disease.

Also, because nitrogen encourages brown patch growth, use the proper blend of fertilizers during the warmer months.

Treatment

There are curative products specifically for brown patch. Use these at the first sign of trouble! And now since you know your lawn is at risk of brown patch, be sure to use the preventative treatments to stave off any future infections.

Shades of Green Lawn & Landscape knows just what your lawn needs to prevent and treat disease. We used science-based practices to ensure your yard is as healthy as can be, and our lawn care packages offer all-around care. Call us today at 765-771-9998 for a free quote and more information.

Need Help with Brown Patch?

Call Shades of Green Lawn & Landscape today at 765-771-9998 and let's talk about how we can help you with Brown Patch and other Indiana lawn diseases.

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