A Major Problem This Year
We've talked about it before, but it needs to be brought up again: Brown patch is a BIG problem this year. If you have St. Augustine in Midlothian or Prosper, you need to keep an eye out for it.
DO NOT Ignore Any Yellowing
DO NOT ignore any yellowing in your lawn! With the amount of rain we have had, your St. Augustine should be lush and green right now. If you have any browning or yellowing, you likely have a problem.
Why your lawn should look great now:
- Recent heavy rainfall
- Ideal growing conditions
- Cooler temperatures
- Perfect moisture levels
- Recovery from summer stress
If you see yellowing or browning instead:
- It's NOT drought stress
- It's NOT lack of fertilizer
- It's most likely fungal disease
- Brown patch is the primary culprit
- Immediate action is required
Why Immediate Treatment Is Critical
Brown patch has to be dealt with using a fungicide right now—you do not want to let it sit and spread.
The dormancy danger:The last thing you want to do is let your turf go dormant with an active fungus present. Doing so will make any infected area have a very hard time coming out of dormancy in the spring, and in some cases it may not come out of dormancy at all.
What happens without treatment:
- Fungus continues damaging turf
- Infected areas enter dormancy weakened
- Crowns and roots compromised
- Spring green-up fails in diseased spots
- Permanent dead areas possible
- Expensive lawn renovation required
The Treatment Timeline
You need to treat the fungus and give your lawn a little time to recover before it goes into dormancy over the next few months!
Critical timing window:
- Treat brown patch NOW
- Allow 4-6 weeks recovery before dormancy
- Fungicide stops disease progression
- Grass can heal and strengthen
- Better chance of normal spring green-up
If you wait too long:
- Lawn goes dormant while diseased
- No recovery time before winter
- Fungus damage becomes permanent
- Spring green-up severely compromised
Identifying Brown Patch
What to look for:
- Circular or irregular brown/yellow patches
- Patches from several inches to several feet wide
- Dark brown "smoke ring" at outer edge (sometimes)
- Grass blades pull away easily from runners
- Most noticeable in morning when dew is present
- Rapid expansion during wet weather
Common locations in North Texas lawns:
- Shaded areas under trees
- Low spots with poor drainage
- Areas with heavy thatch buildup
- Sections with excessive nitrogen
- Anywhere with prolonged moisture
Effective Brown Patch Treatment
Fungicide options:
- Eagle (myclobutanil)
- Propiconazole-based products
- Azoxystrobin formulations
- Combination fungicides
Application requirements:
- Apply at first sign of symptoms
- Treat affected areas plus 3-5 feet beyond
- Water in lightly after application
- May need second application in 14-21 days
- Follow all label directions
Supporting Cultural Practices
While treating with fungicide:
- Reduce watering frequency (if possible)
- Water only in early morning
- Avoid nitrogen fertilization until controlled
- Improve air circulation (prune branches)
- Bag clippings when mowing infected areas
- Don't walk on diseased turf unnecessarily
Why This Year Is So Bad
Conditions creating widespread brown patch:
- Excessive rainfall in recent weeks
- High humidity levels
- Ideal temperature range (60-80°F)
- Saturated soils
- Extended leaf wetness periods
- Stressed turf from summer heat
These perfect conditions have created one of the worst brown patch years we've seen.
Professional Fungicide Applications
At Vista Lawn and Pest, we provide emergency brown patch treatment in Midlothian and Prosper using professional-grade fungicides. Our team can quickly diagnose brown patch, apply effective treatments, and develop recovery plans to get your St. Augustine healthy before dormancy. Combined with our comprehensive fertilization and weed control programs, we keep your lawn protected year-round.
Whatever you do, DON'T ignore signs of brown patch!
Watch the video below to see what brown patch looks like in St. Augustine grass and understand why immediate treatment is critical before dormancy.
For emergency brown patch treatment and expert lawn care in Midlothian and Prosper, contact Vista Lawn and Pest.
