Brown Patch is one of the most commonly seen types of turfgrass disease. While you might have heard of a similar term (summer patch), the two are not identical. Identifying, controlling, and preventing brown patch disease sounds complex, but it doesn’t need to be. By working with the pros at On the Green, Inc., you can make sure your lawn looks beautiful until Labor Day and beyond!
What is Brown Patch Disease?
This disease is unsettlingly invasive. A foliar disease starts to coat the blades of grass and turns them brown in the process. Even though it is classified as a summer turfgrass disease, it can hibernate during the winter by sheltering itself in your lawn’s thatch layer. Once warmer weather returns, it can “wake up,” so to speak, and resume causing havoc on your once-gorgeous lawn. The visible brown patches are caused by the spread of the disease, which also leaves so-called “smoke rings” in its wake around the perimeter of the infected area.
Other Similar Turfgrass Diseases
Sadly, there are other turfgrass diseases. All of them present a significant threat to the health of your home’s lawn and landscape. For instance, consider the large patch disease. The same fungus has a different strain that produces this intruder. So when you see thin patches of light brown grass, you’ll know that the large patch is taking root. Dollar spot is another fungal disease caused by a sneaky pathogen that creates smaller brown spots on the affected grass.
Red thread disease thrives in nutrient-starved soil. Cooler temperatures and relatively humid conditions encourage its growth, manifesting as long red hairs or strands that grow directly out of the grass blades.
Rust-looking diseases are quite common as well. It sounds strange that grass could fall victim to corrosion, but there’s a reason for that perception. Rust diseases actually turn afflicted lawns light green or yellow. Once you look closer, though, you’ll notice orange-yellow spores. By taking steps to fertilize your lawn in the spring, you can discourage this invader from propagating.
Preventing the Growth of Brown Patch
Now that we’re speaking of potential damage to your lawn, let’s look at how you can prevent or diminish the growth of brown patch disease in your turf. Do your best to take care of your lawn because prevention is your best defense; once an outbreak starts, fungicide is required to keep the lawn from failing over the summer. Good maintenance practices are the best way to reduce stress and limit the presence of disease. Deep infrequent watering by watering for longer times, less frequently allows the surface to dry in between watering days. Dry periods discourage fungal-spore growth. Sharp mowing blades are key in the prevention of damage to your lawn. Dull blades rip grass making it difficult to heal, allowing moisture to escape and disease into the plant. Don’t over-fertilize, since excess Nitrogen can stimulate disease, especially in the summertime. On The Green, Inc. uses a nitrogen-free summer fertilizer to prevent nutrient stimulation of lawn diseases!
On The Green Lawn Care is Here for You!
On The Green, Inc. was established back in 1994. We started as a small business that served the local area. In the decades since, though, we’ve expanded tremendously. Incorporation followed in 1997, and our brand has become renowned throughout the state of Maryland. Do you adore social media? Email us at [email protected], call us at 410-695-0444, and find us at our street address: 777 Annapolis Road, Gambrills, Maryland 21054. Come grow with us on Facebook and Google!