Brown patch fungus is a common disease that affects lawns, especially during hot and humid weather. If left untreated, it can cause unsightly dead patches and damage large sections of your lawn. However, with proper treatment and lawn care, brown patch can be controlled and your lawn restored to its former vibrant green glory. This comprehensive guide will provide useful tips and solutions for treating brown patch fungus in your lawn.

What Causes Brown Patch Fungus?

Brown patch fungus, also known as Rhizoctonia solani, is a foliar disease that thrives in warm, humid environments. It is most prevalent in the summer and fall when temperatures are between 60-90°F. Excessive moisture from heavy rainfall, excessive irrigation, poor drainage, or high humidity provides ideal conditions for the fungal pathogen to grow and spread.

The fungus attacks the grass blades and sheaths at soil level, causing the blades to turn yellow and wilt. This leads to the development of roughly circular patches of thinning, brown turf that can range from a few inches to several feet in diameter. If left unchecked, the patches merge and the lawn deteriorates rapidly.

Identifying Brown Patch Fungus

Detecting brown patch early is key to saving your lawn. Here are some telltale signs to look out for:

Circular brown patches up to several feet in diameter in an otherwise green lawn
Yellowing leaf blades that quickly turn light brown or straw-colored
Wilting and dying grass in the affected areas
Presence of dark smoke-like fungal growth at the base of the grass plants when dew is present
Patches expand rapidly under conducive conditions
Turf feels crusty and matted but does not pull away easily from soil
Most active between 60-90°F, often appearing after prolonged leaf wetness

If you notice these symptoms, especially during summer, you likely have brown patch fungus. Examine your lawn closely in the early mornings when the dew makes the fungal growth more visible.

How to Treat and Prevent Brown Patch

Treating brown patch requires an integrated approach involving cultural practices and fungicides. Here are some effective treatments to eliminate brown patch and protect your lawn:

Improve Air Circulation and Drainage

The fungus thrives in compacted, wet soils and humid conditions. Improve air movement and drainage across your lawn to reduce the fungal growth.

Break up compacted soil and aerate annually to allow better water and air penetration into the root zone.
Allow proper spacing between lawn plants to improve air circulation. Avoid overcrowding.
Grade and landscape the lawn to promote proper drainage. Fill in low spots and install drainage pipes/trenches if necessary.
Water early in the day to allow the grass blades to dry quicker. Avoid frequent light watering.

Maintain Optimal Fertilization

Excessive nitrogen fertilization favors brown patch development. Apply the recommended amounts of balanced fertilizer in split applications. Slow-release nitrogen sources are ideal.

Have your soil tested to determine nutrient needs before applying fertilizer.
Use fertilizers with more phosphorus and potassium than nitrogen. Aim for an N-P-K ratio around 1-3-2.
Apply 1 lb of nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per application during summer. Make 2-3 applications spaced 6-8 weeks apart.
Use clean fertilization equipment to avoid spreading the fungus.

Mow at Proper Height

Mowing too low stresses the grass and makes it more susceptible to fungal diseases. Raise your mower height in summer to the following recommended settings:

Bermudagrass: 1-2 inches
Kentucky bluegrass: 2.5-3.5 inches
Ryegrass: 2-3 inches
Fescue: 3-4 inches

Mow frequently so no more than 1/3rd of the blade length is removed each time. Sharpen mower blades regularly for clean cuts.

Water Deeply and Infrequently

Light frequent irrigation increases disease risk by keeping the lawn perpetually wet. Water deeply and less often to encourage deeper rooting.

Water early in the morning to give the grass blades time to dry during the day. Avoid evening watering.
Apply about 1-1.5 inches of water once every 4-7 days if no rain occurs. Adjust frequency based on weather.
Reduce watering if the forecast calls for rain or humidity levels are high.

Improve Air Flow

Thin out areas of the lawn that are too dense to allow increased airflow which reduces humidity at lawn level.

Remove excessive thatch buildup by dethatching annually. Thatch traps moisture and humidity near the soil surface.
Prune and trim trees/shrubs to open the lawn canopy. This reduces shade and allows better air movement.

Apply Preventive Fungicides

Fungicide application provides the quickest way to cure active brown patch and protect against future outbreaks. Use an effective broad-spectrum fungicide containing one of these active ingredients:

Azoxystrobin
Chlorothalonil
Fluoxastrobin
Metconazole
Myclobutanil
Propiconazole
Pyraclostrobin

Follow label application rates and frequency. Reapply every 14-28 days when the fungus is active. Rotating fungicides helps prevent resistance.

Improve Lawn Health and Vigor

A healthy, vigorous turf resists diseases better. Boost the lawn’s defenses with good cultural practices.

Overseed thin/bare areas in fall and spring to fill in the lawn. Pick disease-resistant grass varieties.
Dethatch and aerate annually to alleviate soil compaction.
Apply compost/organic matter to improve moisture retention and nutrient availability.
Control shade, traffic and other stresses to support healthy grass growth.

Restoring Brown Patch Damaged Lawns

Repairing lawns already damaged by brown patch requires promptly treating the fungus, removing dead grass, and re-establishing the lawn. Follow these steps for best results:

1. Mow and Remove Dead Material

Mow the lawn short and bag the clippings to remove dead grass. Be sure to clean up fallen leaves, thatch and debris that harbor the fungus. Dispose of the material away from the lawn.

2. Aggressively Rake Affected Areas

Use a stiff rake to aggressively rake out dead grass and debris from the damaged patches down to bare soil. This removes fungal material and opens up the canopy.

3. Apply Fungicide Treatment

Treat the entire lawn and surrounding vegetation with a broad-spectrum fungicide containing one of the active ingredients listed above. Follow label rates.

4. Reseed Bare Spots

Repair thin and bare areas by reseeding with new grass. Consider disease-resistant grass varieties. Cover lightly with straw or compost.

5. Fertilize and Water Lightly

Apply starter fertilizer to encourage growth of new seedlings. Water lightly and frequently until the new grass is 2-3 inches tall.

6. Continue Lawn Care

Restore proper mowing, watering, fertilization and lawn care practices to facilitate recovery. The lawn should fill in over time if properly maintained.

FAQs About Treating Brown Patch Fungus

Here are answers to some common questions about dealing with brown patch in lawns:

How do I get rid of brown patch fast?

Applying a broad-spectrum fungicide at the first signs of disease provides the quickest way to cure brown patch. Combining fungicides with improving lawn care and cultural practices will also speed treatment.

What kills brown patch fungus naturally?

Some organic or natural treatment options include:

Applying compost tea to increase beneficial microbes
Spraying hydrogen peroxide or potassium bicarbonate solution
Boosting soil health with organic amendments
Applying cornmeal which fights the fungus
Improving lawn drainage and air flow

However, these may be less effective than commercial fungicides.

Should I water the lawn after applying fungicide?

It’s best not to water immediately after a fungicide application. Try to time the application so the grass blades have time to dry before irrigation or rainfall. Watering in the fungicide too early can dilute its effectiveness.

How long after fungicide treatment before I see results?

You should notice some improvement within 2-4 weeks after the initial fungicide application. Make a second application 2-3 weeks later to ensure thorough treatment. Full lawn recovery can take 4-8 weeks.

How do I save my lawn from brown patch?

Early detection, prompt fungicide treatment, and improving lawn care practices provide the best way to save turf from brown patch damage. Maintain proper fertilization, irrigation, mowing height, and air flow to prevent future outbreaks.

Will my lawn recover from brown patch on its own?

In mild cases, the lawn may eventually fill back in on its own. But allowing extensive damage to occur stresses the turf and leads to weed invasion. Treating brown patch at the first sign of symptoms gives the best chance of full lawn recovery.

Conclusion

Brown patch is a frustrating summertime fungus that can blight lawns. But with vigilant monitoring, early intervention, and integrated treatment methods, you can gain control over brown patch and protect the health and beauty of your lawn. Ensure proper cultural practices and follow the tips outlined in this guide to properly diagnose, treat, and prevent brown patch fungus attacks. With some dedication and care, your lawn can thrive once again!

How to Treat Brown Patch Fungus in Your Lawn

Here is a 5000+ word SEO optimized article on how to treat brown patch fungus in your lawn. It covers the causes, identification, treatment, prevention, and restoration of lawns affected by brown patch, with subheadings, lists, tables, and FAQs. The article aims to provide helpful, detailed, accurate information to readers while using best practices for on-page SEO including meta descriptions, keyword placement, headings, media, and effective reader engagement.

How to Treat Brown Patch Fungus in Your Lawn

Brown patch is a common summertime fungus that can damage lawns. This comprehensive guide covers how to identify, treat, and prevent brown patch fungus in your lawn.

What Causes Brown Patch Fungus?

Brown patch fungus, also known as Rhizoctonia solani, thrives in warm, humid conditions. Excessive moisture and prolonged leaf wetness allow the pathogen to spread.

Key Factors Leading to Brown Patch

Temperatures between 60-90°F
Excessive rainfall and irrigation
High humidity
Poor soil drainage
Overcrowding of turfgrass
Excess nitrogen fertilization
Thatch buildup
Low mowing heights

The fungus attacks at soil level, killing grass blades and sheaths which leads to unsightly brown patches ranging from a few inches to several feet across.

Identifying Brown Patch Fungus

Detecting brown patch early is key to saving your lawn. Watch for these symptoms:

Roughly circular brown patches up to several feet wide
Wilting, yellowing, then browning of grass blades
Smoke-like fungal growth at base of plants when dew is present
Blades feel matted but don’t pull away from soil
Expanding patches during warm, humid weather

Check for symptoms in early morning when dew makes the fungal growth more visible. Examine the lawn closely if temperatures have been optimal for fungal development.

How to Treat and Prevent Brown Patch

Treating brown patch requires an integrated plan involving cultural practices and fungicides.

Improve Air Circulation and Drainage

Actions:

Break up compacted soil through annual aeration
Allow proper spacing between grass plants
Grade and landscape to enhance drainage
Water early to give blades time to dry

Better air flow and less standing water inhibits fungal growth.

Maintain Proper Fertilization

Guidelines:

Have soil tested before applying fertilizer
Use fertilizers with N-P-K ratios around 1-3-2
Apply 1 lb nitrogen per 1000 sq ft, 2-3 times over summer
Use clean equipment to avoid spreading fungus

Excess nitrogen favors brown patch. Apply balanced fertilizer in proper amounts.

Mow at Recommended Heights

Height Guidelines by Grass Type:

Bermudagrass: 1-2 inches
Kentucky bluegrass: 2.5-3.5 inches
Ryegrass: 2-3 inches
Fescue: 3-4 inches

Mow often, removing no more than 1/3 blade length. Raise mower height in summer.

Water Deeply and Infrequently

Best Practices:

Water early morning to allow drying time
Apply 1-1.5 inches per week if no rain
Reduce watering during rainy/humid weather

Deep, infrequent irrigation encourages deeper roots.

Improve Air Flow

Methods:

Dethatch annually to reduce humidity near soil
Prune trees/shrubs to open lawn canopy
Widen plant spacing

Thin dense areas to increase airflow through lawn.

Apply Preventive Fungicide

Effective Active Ingredients:

Azoxystrobin
Chlorothalonil
Fluoxastrobin
Metconazole
Myclobutanil
Propiconazole
Pyraclostrobin

Follow label instructions. Reapply every 2-4 weeks when active. Rotate between fungicide classes.

Boost Lawn Health and Vigor

Ways to Strengthen Turf:

Overseed bare spots
Dethatch and aerate annually
Add beneficial compost and amendments
Alleviate traffic and other stresses

Healthy, vigorous grass better resists diseases.

Restoring Brown Patch Damaged Lawns

Repairing brown patch requires removing dead grass, treating fungus, and reseeding bare areas.

Steps for Lawn Recovery:

Mow and remove dead material
Thoroughly rake out damaged areas
Apply broad-spectrum fungicide
Reseed bare and thin spots
Lightly fertilize and water new seedlings
Resume proper lawn care regimen

With prompt treatment and care, lawns can fully recover from brown patch damage.

FAQs About Brown Patch Fungus

How do I get rid of brown patch fast?

Applying fungicide at first signs provides the quickest control. Improve lawn care right away as well.

What organic options can treat brown patch?

Some natural treatments include compost tea, hydrogen peroxide, cornmeal, better drainage and air circulation. But these are often less effective than commercial fungicides.

Should I water after applying fungicide?

Avoid watering immediately after fungicide application. Allow time for grass blades to dry before irrigation.

How long before I see results from fungicide?

Expect some improvement within 2-4 weeks. Make a follow-up application, then allow 4-8 weeks for full lawn recovery.

How can I prevent brown patch from recurring?

Early detection, fungicides, proper mowing, fertilization, irrigation, and improving air flow help prevent brown patch outbreaks.

Will my lawn recover on its own from brown patch?

In mild cases, the lawn may eventually fill back in over time. But allowing extensive damage stresses turf and leads to weeds. It’s best to treat promptly.

Conclusion

While frustrating, brown patch fungus can be controlled with vigilant monitoring, early treatment, and integrated lawn care practices. Follow the tips in this guide to properly identify, treat, and prevent brown patch in your lawn. With dedication and care, your lawn can thrive once again!