How to Get Rid of Brown Patch in Your Lawn

Brown patches on your lawn can be frustrating and make your yard look unhealthy. These spots often appear due to a lawn disease called brown patch, caused by a type of fungus.

The simple process for getting rid of brown patch is by applying a lawn fungicide, improving lawn care habits, and making sure your yard gets the right amount of water and sunlight. Regular mowing, watering in the morning, and keeping your lawn free from thatch can help stop brown patch from coming back. Simple treatments like baking soda mixtures or store-bought products can also help control the problem. Read on below to find out the specifics for each step.

Key Takeaways

• Treat brown patch by using a fungicide and improving lawn care.
• Good watering and mowing habits help prevent the disease.
• Quick action keeps your lawn healthy and looking its best.

Understanding Brown Patch Lawn Disease

Brown patch is a common problem that can damage your grass and make your lawn look unhealthy. Knowing what causes brown patch, how it appears, and which types of grass are at risk helps you take control and protect your yard.

What Causes Brown Patch

Brown patch is caused by a fungus called Rhizoctonia solani. This fungus grows most when the weather is hot and humid, usually during summer or early fall.

Warm nighttime temperatures above 65°F (18°C) and high humidity create conditions where the fungus can spread quickly. Wet grass for long periods—caused by rain, heavy dew, or overwatering—also helps the fungus grow.

Over-fertilizing with nitrogen or using fast-release fertilizers in hot weather can make things worse. The fungus often spreads more in lawns that are thickly thatched or poorly drained. Mowing when the grass is wet or letting clippings build up can move the disease from place to place.

Key Risk Factors:

• High humidity
• Warm temperatures
• Overwatering
• Thick thatch
• Too much quick-release nitrogen fertilizer

Identifying Symptoms in Your Lawn

Brown patch usually shows up as roughly circular patches of brown, tan, or yellow grass. The patches can be a few inches to several feet wide. Sometimes, the grass in the middle may recover, leaving a ring of dying grass around the edge.

Look for:

• Patches with a gray or dark ring (“smoke ring”) at the edge, which is common when dew is present.
• Thin, ragged, or water-soaked looking blades.
• Spots where grass pulls up easily, but the roots are still attached.

While the patches often start small, they can quickly join together and cause large areas of damage if the weather stays damp and warm. The disease often appears overnight after heavy rain or watering.

Table: Common Brown Patch Signs

Symptom	Description
Brown/Tan Circles	Discolored patches in lawn
Smoke Ring	Fuzzy, grayish ring around edge
Patch Size	1 inch to several feet across
Leaves	Slimy, thin, or detached blades

Common Grass Types Affected

Not all grass types are equally harmed by brown patch. Some are much more likely to get sick from this fungus.

Tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, and other cool-season grasses get brown patch most often. Kentucky bluegrass can also get it, especially if it is thick or heavily fertilized. Among warm-season grasses, St. Augustine grass and zoysiagrass are common targets.

Brown patch is not limited to high-end lawns; it can develop in home lawns, athletic fields, and even golf courses. The risk gets higher with certain grass varieties and some lawn care habits.

Grass Types Prone to Brown Patch:

• Tall fescue
• Perennial ryegrass
• Kentucky bluegrass
• St. Augustine grass
• Zoysiagrass

If your lawn has one or more of these types, keeping an eye on weather and your watering schedule can make a big difference.

Effective Treatment Methods for Brown Patch

You can control brown patch in your lawn by using proper treatments, keeping up with regular lawn care, and picking the right products. Acting quickly is important to stop brown patch from spreading and causing more damage.

Applying Fungicides Correctly

Fungicides can help stop brown patch from spreading when you use them early. Look for a product labeled for brown patch control, such as a broad-spectrum lawn fungicide. Always check the label for instructions and safety guidelines. Apply the product evenly over the affected area.

It is best to apply fungicide during cool, dry weather. Water your lawn in the morning before treatment rather than at night. Avoid mowing right after application—wait until the product has dried on the grass.

Repeat applications may be needed every few weeks if symptoms continue. Wear gloves and wash your hands after use. Keep children and pets off the lawn until the treated area is dry.

Choosing the Right Lawn Care Products

The right lawn care products help protect your grass and keep it healthy. Choose products made for your grass type and check for any extra benefits, like disease control. For example, Scotts® DiseaseEX™ Lawn Fungicide is a well-known product that can treat brown patch for up to 4 weeks. Follow the package directions so you do not overuse or harm your lawn.

Proper fertilizers are important too. Avoid using too much nitrogen, as it can make brown patch worse. Use a balanced fertilizer and spread it evenly.

Keep your lawn mower blades sharp and mow your grass to the right height for the type you have. Bag up clippings if you see fungus to prevent spreading it.

Organic and Natural Solutions

If you prefer natural methods, there are some safe options that may help with brown patch. Horticultural cornmeal works as an antifungal treatment. Spread about 2 pounds of cornmeal per 100 square feet where you see brown patches.

Water your lawn only in the morning. This lets it dry out by night and helps prevent fungus. Rake and remove any dead grass from the brown spots to help your lawn breathe.

For extra help, try spreading compost or using a soil conditioner made from natural materials. These improve soil health, making it harder for brown patch to return. Use these methods along with regular mowing and watering for best results.

Improving Lawn Care Practices

Taking care of the basics like how you water, mow, and aerate your lawn can make a big difference in fighting brown patch. These habits help your grass grow stronger and make it harder for fungus to spread.

Proper Watering Techniques

Watering your lawn the right way is one of the best things you can do. It’s better to water less often but give your lawn a deep soak each time. Aim for about 1 to 2 inches of water each week, split between one or two watering days.

Always water your lawn in the early morning, before 10 a.m. This gives the grass time to dry out during the day. Wet grass overnight can quickly invite disease.

Avoid watering in the evening. Try using a rain gauge or a simple can to keep track of how much water your lawn is getting. Stay consistent, but skip watering after heavy rain.

Optimal Mowing Habits

How you mow your lawn matters for keeping brown patch away. Make sure your mower blades are sharp. Dull blades can tear grass and leave it weak.

Cut your grass to the recommended height for your grass type. Usually, this is between 2.5 and 4 inches. Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade at a time, because cutting too short stresses the lawn.

Don’t mow when your grass is wet. This can spread disease and leave clumps. After mowing, remove any grass clippings if you see signs of brown patch, so the fungus can’t spread.

Soil Aeration Benefits

Aerating your soil helps your lawn breathe. It means making small holes in the soil so air, water, and nutrients can reach the grass roots more easily.

You should aerate your lawn once or twice a year, depending on how packed the soil is. Use a core aerator for best results. Aeration reduces soil compaction and helps with drainage, making your lawn less friendly to fungi.

After aerating, water the lawn well and consider overseeding thin spots if needed. Aeration also helps fertilizer get deeper, so your grass gets more out of feeding.

Preventing Brown Patch Recurrence

To keep brown patch fungus from coming back, you should focus on controlling moisture, using fertilizer the right way, and making sure air can move through your yard. These steps give your grass a better chance to stay healthy and resist disease.

Managing Lawn Moisture Levels

Brown patch thrives in wet or damp grass, especially when nights are warm. Avoid watering late in the evening or at night. Instead, try watering your lawn early in the morning. This lets the grass dry during the day and reduces the chances for fungus to grow.

If possible, set up a regular watering schedule. Only water your lawn when the soil is actually dry about an inch below the surface. Too much water can make conditions worse. Pay extra attention to low spots where water tends to collect. Consider filling in these areas or improving drainage if you notice puddles after rain.

After mowing, clean up grass clippings instead of leaving them behind. Heavy clippings can trap moisture and block air. Remove any leaves or debris that may pile up, especially in shady parts of the yard.

Timing of Fertilizer Application

Fertilizer helps grass grow, but too much or poorly timed applications can actually make brown patch worse. Avoid heavy fertilizer use during hot, humid parts of the year when the fungus is more active. Wait for cooler weather if you need to feed your lawn.

Choose a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer and follow the instructions on the label. This kind of fertilizer provides nutrients over time, preventing quick bursts of growth that can stress your grass. Stressed grass is easier for diseases to attack.

If you do fertilize, do it when the disease is dormant, not while it’s actively spreading. Use the amounts suggested for your type of grass. Keeping your lawn healthy without overfeeding will help your grass recover from disease and stop brown patch from coming back.

Enhancing Air Circulation

Poor airflow allows moisture to build up, making lawns a better home for brown patch fungus. Look for thick trees, large bushes, or fences that block the wind from moving across your lawn. Thin or trim back overgrown plants as needed to let more air in and help grass dry out.

In shady spots, it helps to occasionally prune low branches or remove crowded shrubs. Good air movement dries leaves and speeds up how fast your grass recovers after rain or dew. Use a rake to fluff up thick or matted grass, especially after wet weather.

Keep mowing your lawn at the proper height for your grass type and make sure your mower blades are sharp. Dull blades can damage the grass and slow recovery.

Addressing Environmental Factors

Brown patch can thrive when your lawn is exposed to the wrong environmental conditions. Handling weather impacts and keeping thatch under control are key steps for preventing and managing brown patch.

Impact of Weather Conditions

Weather affects how likely your lawn is to get brown patch. Hot, humid days with nighttime temperatures above 65°F create the perfect environment for the fungus to grow. Damp mornings and heavy dew also make things worse because they keep the grass moist.

If rain is common in your area, try to avoid watering your lawn in the evening. Water early in the morning instead, so the grass can dry out during the day. Too much shade slows evaporation and can also keep grass wet longer, so it’s best to trim trees or bushes that block sunlight.

After storms, check your yard for places where water collects. Improve drainage by filling low spots or gently sloping the soil away from puddled areas.

Lawn Thatch Management

Thatch is a layer of dead grass, roots, and other plant material that builds up between the soil and the living grass. When this layer gets thicker than ½ inch, it can trap moisture and make it easier for fungal diseases like brown patch to spread.

You should check your lawn for thatch every spring and fall. Use a rake or a dethatching tool if the layer is too thick. Aerating the soil also helps by breaking up thatch and letting air and nutrients reach the roots.

Keeping thatch under control also helps water soak in instead of sitting on top. This reduces the places where fungus can grow, making your lawn less likely to develop brown patch in the future.

When to Consult a Lawn Care Professional

If you notice brown patch in your lawn that keeps coming back, it may be time to call an expert.

You should also think about professional help if you see these signs:

• The brown spots are spreading quickly.
• The problem covers large or multiple areas.
• Home remedies and store products don’t seem to work.
• You are unsure if it’s really brown patch or another disease.

A lawn care professional can:

What They Do	Why It Helps
Identify the problem	Makes sure you treat the right issue
Apply special treatments	Uses stronger products safely
Check soil and grass health	Finds hidden causes
Give advice on lawn care routines	Helps prevent future problems

Don’t wait too long to ask for help. Ignoring a serious lawn disease can make things worse.

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s common to wonder what causes brown patches, how to treat them, and if the grass can bounce back. You might also have questions about home treatments, products, and what makes this problem worse at certain times of year.

What’s the best way to treat brown patch fungus in the lawn?

Water only in the morning and avoid watering at night. Mow your lawn at the right height and keep your mower blades sharp. Remove clippings and debris from affected areas to help stop the spread of fungus.

Can you recommend the top fungicide for managing brown patch issues?

Products like Scotts® DiseaseEX™ Lawn Fungicide are popular for treating brown patch. These broad-spectrum fungicides target the fungus and offer protection for about four weeks. Always follow label directions when using any fungicide.

Do brown patches from the fungus permanently kill the grass, or will it recover?

Grass usually recovers from brown patch fungus if treated quickly. Damaged spots may turn green again as the grass grows back. However, severe cases may require reseeding.

How can I fix the brown spots on my lawn caused by dog urine?

Water the area heavily right after your dog urinates to dilute the chemicals. You can reseed the damaged spots if needed. Try to encourage your dog to use a different area to prevent new spots.

Are there any home remedies effective against lawn brown patch?

You can improve air movement and drainage by raking and thinning dense grass. Avoid using too much fertilizer and water early in the day. These steps may help manage mild brown patch problems, but severe cases often need fungicide.

Why do I see more brown patches in my lawn during the fall season?

Fall brings cooler temperatures and more moisture, which are perfect for brown patch fungus to grow. Heavy dew and longer periods of wetness let the fungus spread more easily. This is why fall is a common time for outbreaks.