Spring Fescue Brown Patch

The beauty of a lawn can be quickly destroyed by brown patch or large patch, which are serious fungal diseases (each caused by different strains of Rhizoctoniasolani). Generally, symptoms of brown patch begin on cool-season grasses (tall fescue, ryegrass, bluegrass, and bentgrass) during the late spring.  The disease can develop rapidly when daytime temperatures are warm (75 to 90 °F) and humid, nighttime temperatures are above 60 ºF, and there is an extended period of leaf wetness.

 

Symptoms of brown and large patch diseases may vary greatly with the type of grass and soil conditions. The diseases usually cause thinned patches of light brown grass that are roughly circular in shape. These areas range in diameter from a few inches to several feet. Often the center of the patch will recover, resulting in a doughnut-shaped pattern. Close inspection of cool-season grass blades reveals small, irregular, tan leaf spots with dark-brown borders. Bentgrass may not show individual lesions, but leaves will turn brown and shrivel. Infected warm-season grasses rarely have leaf spots but instead, have rotted leaf sheaths near the soil surface.

 

Brown patch is the most common and important disease of tall fescue in the Southeast. In most cases, affected areas are able to recover, but tall fescue lawns less than a year old can be completely killed.

 

If you see these patterns in your lawn, PLEASE CALL US IMMEDIATELY!  Brown patch spreads rapidly and can kill your entire lawn if left untreated!

 

We have seen Brown Patch appearing in an alarming number of lawns this year. Fungicides are almost always applied on a curative basis for controlling brown patch. Both contact and penetrant fungicides are effective in fighting this disease.  It’s imperative that you contact us immediately by either completing the form below or calling our office at 678-840-4449. One of our experts will design a treatment program specifically for your lawn’s condition. Don’t wait until it’s too late.