Understanding Brown Patch

Let’s face it: maintaining a lush and vibrant lawn is a top priority. We put countless hours into mowing, watering, and fertilizing to ensure our yards look their best. But what happens when our efforts seem to go to waste as brown patches appear? This can be the case for many lawns throughout North Carolina. Thankfully, Nature’s Select® is here with everything you need to know to understand brown patch fungal disease.

Brown Patch Defined

Brown patch fungal disease is a common lawn issue caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani. It typically thrives in warm, humid conditions and affects cool-season grasses like tall fescue, ryegrass, and bentgrass. The disease manifests as irregular, circular brown patches in the lawn, often surrounded by a darker ring, and can quickly damage the turf if left untreated.

Causes of Brown Patch

As we already mentioned, brown patch thrives in warm and humid conditions. This means that overwatering your lawn or not allowing enough air circulation can create the perfect environment for the fungus to grow. Other factors that can contribute to the patches include compacted soil, poor drainage, and excessive thatch buildup.

Identifying Symptoms

Brown patch presents itself as circular patches of brown or dead grass with a darker ring around the outside. These patches can range from a few inches to several feet in diameter and can quickly spread throughout your lawn if left untreated. You may also notice a grayish-white, cotton-like substance on the grass blades, which is a sign of the fungal infection.

Prevention

The best way to prevent brown patch is by maintaining proper lawn care practices. This includes mowing at the correct height and frequency, watering deeply but infrequently to avoid overwatering, and aerating your lawn to improve air circulation. It’s also crucial to keep an eye on any thatch buildup and address it promptly. It also means improving the health of your lawn’s soil through biological lawn care.

Nature’s Select® Can Help

At Nature’s Select®, we understand the frustration of dealing with brown patch in your lawn. That’s why we offer a variety of biological lawn care services to help keep your lawn’s soil healthy and free from diseases. Additionally, we offer solutions for snow mold, spring dead spot, and pythium blight. So, don’t let lawn fungi ruin your lawn in Pinehurst, NC. Contact us at (888)-786-9735 for a free quote today.