How to Get Rid of Brown Patch Fungus on Your Lawn

Is your once lush and green lawn now plagued by unsightly brown patches? Fear not; you're not alone. Brown patch fungus can be a nightmare for any lawn owner, but with the right approach, you can reclaim your turf's health and beauty. In this guide, we'll delve into the ins and outs of brown patch fungus and explore effective strategies for eradication and prevention.

What Is Brown Patch Disease?

Brown patch is a fungal disease that targets both cool-season and warm-season lawns. Thriving in humid weather and warm temperatures, typically from late spring through late summer, this pesky fungus can wreak havoc on your lawn's appearance and vitality. 

Causes of Brown Patch Disease

Several factors contribute to brown patch development, including poor drainage, compacted soil, excessive thatch buildup, shaded areas, imbalanced soil pH, and over-fertilization with nitrogen.

The fungus can spread rapidly, especially in warm, humid conditions. It can be transmitted through various means, including wind, water, contaminated equipment, and even foot traffic.

Identifying Brown Patch

Recognizing brown patch isn't always straightforward, as it can be mistaken for other lawn diseases like large patch. However, some telltale signs include circular patches of tan, brown, yellow, or orange grass ranging from a few inches to several feet in diameter. Additionally, you might notice mycelium (resembling spiderwebs) on grass blades when wet, along with tan lesions and distinctive "smoke rings" around affected areas, especially in low-cut grass.

Related: Turf Wars: How to Treat Lawn Fungus

Effective Treatment Methods

Once brown patch takes hold of your lawn, prompt action is crucial. While turfgrass fungus can be stubborn, it's not invincible. 

Chemical Treatments

Various fungicides, such as those containing propiconazole or pyraclostrobin with triticonazole, are commercially available in liquid or granular forms.

We recommend the following products:

1. Pillar SC Fungicide

Pillar SC is a liquid fungicide designed for fast and effective control of up to 26 turf diseases, including brown patch, dollar spot, and leaf spots, among others.

Benefits:

• Covers up to 43,500 square feet with one easy rate application.
• Liquid formulation ensures quick disease knockdown.
• Combines two fungicides for broad-spectrum, long-lasting protection.
• Improves plant health, promoting resilient grass even under stress.
• Safe for all cool and warm season grass varieties.

Active Ingredients: Triticonazole and pyraclostrobin provide up to 28 days of control against various lawn diseases.

Application: Easy mixing at a rate of 1 oz per 1000 square feet. 

Diseases controlled: Includes anthracnose, brown patch, dollar spot, rust, and more.

Compatibility: It can be used on all grass types, including cool- and warm-season lawns like Kentucky Bluegrass, Bermuda, and Zoysia.

Application recommendations: Apply using a battery-powered sprayer with a large droplet nozzle. Apply as early as April/May, with additional applications recommended every 14-21 days for existing disease control.

Watering requirements: Requires 1/4" of water to move into the soil after application.

Compatibility with other products: It can be applied alongside fertilizer and Essential-G, along with other liquid products recommended for application before Pillar SC.

Pillar SC offers a convenient, effective solution for lawn disease management, with a broad spectrum of coverage and long-lasting control to ensure a healthy, resilient lawn. 

2. Headway G Fungicide

Headway G is a granular fungicide that combines two active ingredients, azoxystrobin and propiconazole, providing excellent control of lawn-damaging fungi. The dual-action formula targets and eliminates a broad range of lawn fungi.

Benefits:

• Contains two broad-spectrum fungicides for comprehensive coverage and effective control.
• Single application saves time and money compared to applying multiple products.
• Provides broad control with optimum effectiveness due to the balance between active ingredients.

Application and coverage:

• Suitable for all grass types, including cool and warm-season varieties.
• Coverage: 30 lb bag covers 8,500 to 15,000 square feet depending on application rate.
• Apply in Spring (May, June) and Fall (October, November) to prevent lawn diseases.

Active ingredients: Azoxystrobin (0.31%) and propiconazole (0.75%).

Application recommendations: Apply using a broadcast spreader following the recommended application rate based on the targeted lawn disease.

Watering requirements: Apply to a dry lawn and water into turf within 48 hours with 1/4" of irrigation or rainfall.

Compatibility with other products: You can apply fertilizer and Essential-G before Headway G. A second application can be made 21 days later for disease control.

Headway G offers a convenient solution for lawn disease management, providing broad-spectrum coverage and effective control with its dual-action formula. With easy application and compatibility with other products, it helps maintain a healthy, disease-free lawn throughout the growing season.

3. Caravan G Insecticide/Fungicide Combo

Caravan G is a granular combination of insecticide and fungicide designed to provide exceptional control of both lawn-damaging insects and common turf diseases with a single application.

Benefits:

• It covers 15,000 square feet, making it suitable for residential and commercial use.
• Easy application using a broadcast spreader saves time and effort.
• The combination of fungicide and insecticide in one product saves money compared to using separate treatments.
• Safe for all grass types and for people and pets when used as directed.

Insects controlled: Targets various lawn pests, including white grubs, craneflies, mole crickets, chinch bugs, and more.

Fungi controlled: Provides control for common lawn fungi such as brown patch, fairy ring, gray leaf spot, necrotic ring spot, and pythium blight (preventative), among others.

Active ingredients: Contains azoxystrobin (0.31%) and thiamethoxam (0.22%).

Application and coverage:

• Suitable for all grass types, including cool and warm-season varieties.
• Coverage: 30 lb bag covers 10,700 to 15,000 square feet depending on the lawn pest targeted.
• Apply to a dry lawn and water into turf within 48 hours with 1/4" of irrigation or rainfall.

Watering requirements: Apply 1/4" of water to move Caravan G into the soil.

Compatibility with other products: Yes, you can apply fertilizer and Essential-G before Caravan G. A second application is not recommended; instead, use Headway G or Pillar SC for disease control without unnecessary insecticide application.

Caravan G offers a convenient and cost-effective solution for lawn pest and disease management. It provides broad-spectrum control with a single application, making it a versatile option for maintaining a healthy lawn throughout the season.

Organic Treatments

• Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain D747-based products, often OMRI-certified, offer a natural solution.
• DIY remedies, such as a mixture of water, vegetable oil, baking soda, or neem oil, can effectively combat the fungus.
• When spread or applied as a tea solution, horticultural cornmeal serves as an antifungal agent.

Related: The Most Effective Fungicides to Use on Your Lawn

Preventive Measures

Preventing brown patch from recurring is essential for maintaining a healthy lawn. 

Consider the following preventive measures:

1. Address underlying issues: Identify and address underlying factors that contribute to brown patch development. This includes addressing soil pH imbalances, ensuring proper airflow within the lawn, reducing excessive moisture through proper irrigation practices, and correcting nutrient deficiencies through regular fertilization.
   
   
2. Diversify lawn cultivars: Incorporate a diverse range of grass cultivars or species into your lawn. Different grass varieties have varying resistance levels to brown patch and other diseases. By diversifying your lawn, you can reduce its overall vulnerability to brown patch outbreaks. This is most commonly done on cool-season lawns.
   
   
3. Practice proper mowing techniques: Adopt proper mowing practices to maintain a healthy lawn. Avoid mowing grass too short, as this can stress the plants and make them more susceptible to disease. Additionally, refrain from mowing wet grass, as this can promote the spread of fungal spores. Regularly sharpen mower blades to ensure a clean cut that minimize grass damage.
   
   
4. Clean lawn care equipment: Regularly clean and sanitize lawn care equipment, including mowers, trimmers, and aerators, to prevent the spread of fungal spores from one area of the lawn to another. Disinfecting equipment between uses helps reduce the risk of disease transmission and keeps your lawn healthy.

Don't let brown patch fungus tarnish the beauty of your lawn any longer. With the right strategies and resources at your disposal, you can bid farewell to those unsightly brown patches and enjoy a lush, vibrant lawn once again.

If you want to raise your lawn care game, we invite you to explore our range of high-quality fertilizers, weed killers, and lawn care products.