Brown Patch Alert: Watch Your St. Augustine Closely

Perfect Conditions for Brown Patch Fungus

For anyone that has St. Augustine turf in Midlothian or Prosper, you need to keep a close eye on your lawn for the next couple of weeks.

We have had an incredible amount of rain the last two weeks, and this week the temperatures are going to drop. This is the perfect scenario for brown patch to emerge in St. Augustine.

Why Brown Patch Is Coming Early

We don't typically see brown patch until later in October, but all indications are it's going to be here early this year.

Perfect storm conditions:

• Heavy rainfall over past two weeks
• Saturated soil and wet grass
• Dropping temperatures into ideal range (60-75°F)
• High humidity levels
• Extended leaf wetness periods
• Stressed turf from summer heat

Identifying Brown Patch in Your Lawn

What you need to look for are any defined patches of yellowing/browning turf. It will typically be in a circular shape and can range from just a few inches in diameter to several feet.

Brown patch symptoms:

• Circular or irregular brown patches
• Yellow/brown discoloration
• Patches range from 6 inches to several feet wide
• May have darker brown ring at outer edge ("smoke ring")
• Grass blades pull away easily from runners
• Most active during morning dew periods

Common locations:

• Areas with poor drainage
• Low spots that hold water
• Shaded areas under trees
• Sections with excessive thatch
• Over-watered or over-fertilized areas

How Brown Patch Spreads

Rapid progression:

• Can expand several inches per day
• Spreads outward in circular pattern
• Multiple patches may merge together
• More active during cool, wet weather
• Slows when conditions dry out

Treatment Options for Brown Patch

Treatment can be done with any fungicide labeled for brown patch. The products we use are Eagle fungicide or T Storm fungicide.

Effective fungicide options:

• Eagle (myclobutanil) - Professional grade, highly effective
• T Storm (thiabendazole/trifloxystrobin) - Broad spectrum control
• Propiconazole - Available at garden centers
• Azoxystrobin - Good preventative and curative

Application guidelines:

• Apply at first sign of symptoms
• Treat affected areas plus 3-5 feet beyond
• Water in lightly after application
• Reapply per label directions (typically 14-21 days)
• May need multiple applications for severe cases

Cultural Practices to Slow Brown Patch

While waiting for fungicide to work:

• Reduce watering frequency
• Water early morning only (avoid evening)
• Improve air circulation (prune overhanging branches)
• Avoid walking on infected areas
• Don't fertilize until fungus is controlled
• Bag clippings if mowing infected areas

The Importance of Early Detection

The earlier you catch it, the better! So keep an eye out!

Why early treatment matters:

• Less total damage to turf
• Faster recovery time
• Fewer fungicide applications needed
• Prevents spread to larger areas
• Saves money on treatment costs
• Minimizes long-term lawn damage

Prevention for Next Year

Reducing brown patch risk:

• Improve drainage in problem areas
• Reduce thatch buildup through aeration
• Avoid excessive nitrogen in fall
• Water deeply but infrequently
• Maintain proper mowing height
• Consider preventative fungicide in high-risk areas

Professional Fungicide Applications

At Vista Lawn and Pest, we provide professional brown patch treatment in Midlothian and Prosper using commercial-grade fungicides like Eagle and T Storm. Our comprehensive lawn care programs include disease monitoring and treatment as part of our fertilization and weed control services, ensuring your St. Augustine stays healthy year-round.

Don't wait until damage spreads—catch brown patch early!

Watch the video below to see what brown patch looks like in St. Augustine grass and learn identification tips for early detection.

For professional brown patch treatment and comprehensive lawn care in Midlothian and Prosper, contact Vista Lawn and Pest.

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