Lawn fungus is a common occurrence here in North Mississippi. You can do everything right and still suffer from an outbreak simply because the conditions are right.
While we know finding signs of fungus is frustrating, it doesn’t have to be your lawn's total downfall.
The first step to restoring order is diagnosing what’s going on. Brown patch fungus and large patch fungus are two of the most common outbreaks we see. Both of these fungal infections are caused by the same pathogen (Rhizoctonia solani), but they infect different grass types and thrive under different conditions.
In this article, we’ll share everything you need to know about lawn fungus identification and telling these two diseases apart.
Brown patch lawn disease and large patch are both fungal infections caused by the same pathogen: Rhizoctonia solani. They are very closely related, but they are not the same thing. These two diseases infect different grass types and also occur under different conditions.
Brown patch fungus occurs during warmer months and affects cool-season turfgrass like tall fescue and perennial ryegrass. It tends to emerge on hot, humid days.
Large patch fungus is closely related and caused by the same pathogen, but it primarily affects warm-season grasses like zoysia and bermuda. Unlike brown patch lawn disease, it tends to be most active during cooler, wet weather.
Calls for large patch fungus usually start in October and November and then again in March/April. That’s when conditions are just right: cool nights in the 50s and warm days in the upper 60s-70s.
Homeowners commonly mistake large patch fungus damage for herbicide burn. Because it can create brown patches in the lawn, it's easy to assume something was accidentally sprayed on the grass (especially since the damage occurs in irregular patches).
Treating lawn fungus as quickly as possible matters because fungal diseases can spread and cause damage. The longer the disease remains active, the more opportunity it has to damage healthy turf.
We know that homeowners are sometimes tempted to take a “wait and see" approach. But this can give the disease too much time to spread and cause more problems.
Under favorable conditions, a small patch of disease can quickly turn into larger areas of weakened, thinning, or dead turf.
The sooner, the better! We recommend starting lawn fungus treatment as soon as you notice damage. Preventatives are great, but timing is critical, and it can be hard to get right.
Early treatment can make recovery easier, particularly for slower-growing varieties of grass (like Centipede).
At Lawn & Pest Solutions, we do recommend preventatives on zoysia or centipede lawns that have shown repeated infestations. Never put out a preventative just because. The effect can be similar to overuse of antibiotic medications in humans…resistance builds quickly.
Many homeowners want to know when their treated lawn will start to look normal again. Timing depends on growing conditions. However, you can generally see improvement within days. Within a couple of weeks, most lawns will see extensive recovery.
Once you stop the fungus from spreading, recovery can begin. Fortunately, warm-season grasses grow and spread laterally, so they do fill in bare spots rather quickly.
A big part of lawn fungus prevention starts with creating an environment where healthy grass can grow and thrive. This includes proper lawn care habits, such as watering appropriately, improving drainage, mowing at the proper height, and avoiding excessive fertilization.
You can also treat the lawn with preventative products.
Preventative lawn fungus treatment involves a spring application followed by a fall application. Base timing on weather conditions rather than calendar dates.
Will lawn fungus go away on its own?
It can, but it rarely does. As the disease spreads, more damage is done, and recovery takes longer if you wait too long.
Does lawn fungus die over the winter?
It can, but don't count on it. We often see a lawn go into dormancy with a disease and then come out of dormancy with the same issue next spring.
Does brown patch always kill the grass?
Brown patch rarely kills warm-season grasses, but it can in certain cases. For example, zoysia grown in shady conditions that is already struggling. Add a disease on top of that, and your zoysia could stay thin and patchy if you don't stop it.
How do I repair a lawn after fungus damage?
Luckily, with warm-season grasses, if you stop the fungus in time, affected areas generally fill in pretty easily. With regular mowing and good overall lawn care, the grass will spread back into the damaged area without much trouble.
What's the most common homeowner mistake that makes lawn fungus worse?
Watering mistakes are the most common cause of lawn fungus. This includes overwatering and watering in the evening. This keeps grass blades wet and doesn’t give them a chance to dry out.
Does treatment differ between Zoysia and Centipede?
Treatment is the same for both grass types, but Centipede can take longer to recover. Centipede tends to be slower-growing and doesn't repair damaged areas as quickly as other warm-season turf types.
Is there a point where curative treatment stops working and you have to wait for green-up?
No, and ignoring the problem will only have catastrophic side effects. You are always better off treating as quickly as possible.
We know lawn problems can be frustrating. You put time and money into a great-looking lawn, and you don’t want to worry about losing it to something like lawn fungus.
Fortunately, with a lawn care partner on your side, you don’t have to worry. At Lawn & Pest Solutions, we’re here to help.
We take our role in monitoring your property seriously. We do more than provide lawn treatments. We keep a watchful eye out and aim to spot problems early.
When we spot brown patches in the lawn, we’re diagnosing what’s going on. It could be a disease…or it could be something else. We’ll get to the bottom of it and put the right solution in place.
Of course, we know that we can’t be there every day, so we also urge homeowners to call us at the first sign of trouble. We’re ready to help!
The key is to choose a lawn care provider wisely. When you make a wise, well-researched choice like this, you build a long-term relationship with a lawn care provider in North Mississippi and finally get the lawn, and the relaxation, you deserve.
Want to improve your lawn’s health and create a thicker, greener lawn? Lawn & Pest Solutions can help you with lawn care in North Mississippi. Get started today with a free quote. Together, we’ll customize a plan that gives you the most attractive lawn on the block.