If you have rings of dead brown grass in your lawn, don’t panic! We’re well acquainted with this unlucky situation. Brown patch is the nemesis of any New England homeowner. It can make any beautiful lawn spotty in days. But with a little TLC and some support from your local lawn care specialists, your brown patch-tainted lawn will bounce back in no time. Here’s everything you need to know about treating brown patch in your Rhode Island lawn.
What Is Brown Patch?
Simply put, brown patch is a fungal infection caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani. If you’ve ever noticed uneven spots or rings of browned grass in a yard, chances are it’s a case of brown patch. As for the fate of your lawn, we have good news and bad news. On one hand, brown patch won’t typically kill your grass. It only targets the grass blades of your lawn, leaving your grass roots safe. On the other hand, brown patch spreads furiously and will come back the following year if left untreated. So, it’s essential to kick it out of your lawn ASAP.
Causes of Brown Patch
Of course, the main cause of brown patch disease is the fungus itself. But there are also plenty of factors that encourage brown patch to take over a lawn. Remember the acronym FUNGAL to remember the six factors that contribute to a higher chance of fungal infection (brown patch and other diseases included).
- F- Favorable weather. Brown patch thrives in warmer climates with lots of rain.
- U- Underlying conditions. Thatch buildup, infertile soil, and soil compaction can make it more likely for brown patch to appear.
- N—Nutrient-dense. Excessive fertilizing, especially with nitrogen fertilizers, can feed fungi and help them survive in your lawn.
- G- Grass stress. Extreme temperatures, pests, weeds, and other diseases can weaken your lawn’s defenses and leave your grass susceptible to a brown patch infection.
- A—Abundant moisture. What do fungi love more than anything? Damp environments! If it’s been raining a lot or the sprinklers are working overtime, the brown patch is going to thrive.
- S – So call the experts at MissionGreen Services for help with lawn diseases
- L- Low air circulation. If your grass is weighed down by old leaves or tangled up in thatch buildup, moisture might get trapped and encourage brown patch.
Treating Brown Patch
So, we’ve reviewed what causes brown patch. But if you’re already a victim of the brown patch blight, we’ve got you covered! You can take many steps to treat the brown patch (and ensure it stays gone next year). Just like the common cold, there isn’t really a cure. Instead, regular care and healthy practices will make a cold disappear quicker.
Rhode Island lawn care
Proper mowing, watering, and fertilizing boosts your lawn’s natural defenses and pushes the disease out. A lawn care program is the best way to ensure your lawn receives consistent and personalized support on a schedule. Plus, lawn maintenance is also the best method to prevent brown patch problems in the future.
Neem oil is a natural fungicide
Neem oil, a pressed vegetable oil praised for its all-natural gardening benefits, can also tackle brown patch at the source. Plus, if you’re a lover of garden critters, neem oil is safe for earthworms, bees, and other pollinators.
Horticulture cornmeal is another natural solution
Need a cheaper alternative? Look no further than horticultural cornmeal, another natural solution for brown patch. Corn meal also has terrific antifungal properties, making it an accessible and cheap alternative to fungicides. Cornmeal also introduces plenty of beneficial microorganisms to the soil, which are natural antagonists to most fungal diseases, including brown patch. You can simply broadcast two pounds of horticultural cornmeal for every 100 square feet of lawn and watch the brown patch disappear!
When all else fails, use fungicides
Regular lawn care is by far the easiest and cheapest solution to brown patch. However, if worst comes to worst, fungicides are always an option. Brown patch is usually unsightly, but worse cases can stop lawns from photosynthesizing. If brown patch continues to spread even with regular care, it’s probably time to amp up the efforts. Fungicide applications are a last-ditch effort to stop brown patch at the source.
Goodbye To Brown Patch, Hello Beautiful Rhode Island Lawn!
Don’t let the brown patch stick around. Clear away problematic brown patch with Mission Green Services’ top-to-bottom lawn care program. Claim your 100% FREE quote for local lawn care services in Rhode Island, and start your trouble-free lawn journey today.
