If you have St. Augustine turf, there's something important you need to start thinking about as the seasons change. Fall brings prime conditions for disease and fungus issues to appear in your lawn, and being proactive is the key to keeping your grass healthy.
Why Fall Creates Perfect Conditions for Lawn Disease
Every fall and spring, North Texas lawns face the same challenge: cool nighttime temperatures combined with moisture create the ideal environment for lawn diseases to thrive. For St. Augustine grass in particular, this combination can quickly lead to unsightly damage if left unchecked.
A preventative fungicide application is highly recommended for all St. Augustine lawns in Midlothian, Prosper, and the surrounding DFW area. The key word here is "preventative"—these treatments must be applied before signs of disease appear to be effective.
Timing Your Fungicide Applications
Timing is everything with preventative fungicides. Because these products don't have a very long residual, you need to apply them once conditions become favorable for disease development. The sweet spot is when nighttime temperatures consistently reach the low 60s to upper 50s, which typically happens in late September to early October in North Texas.
After your first application, you'll want to reapply every 30 days until your turf goes dormant. Plan for no more than three applications total during the fall season. This schedule provides protection against most common diseases we see in Midlothian and Prosper lawns, including:
- Brown patch
- Leaf spot
- Powdery mildew
- Take-all patch
Choosing the Right Product
When selecting a fungicide, make sure the label specifically states it's a protectant or preventative—not just a curative. Curative products are designed to treat active fungal infections and won't provide the advance protection your lawn needs. The products we use at Vista Lawn and Pest are Eagle and Heritage, both of which are labeled as preventatives and curatives, giving flexibility for various situations.
Planning ahead is essential. Mark your calendar, watch the weather forecasts, and be ready to apply when conditions are right. Your St. Augustine lawn will thank you come spring.
Watch the video below to learn more about protecting your St. Augustine lawn from fall fungus and disease.
For professional fungicide treatments in Midlothian and Prosper, contact Vista Lawn and Pest.
