Preventing and Recovering from Brown Patch

🌱 Understanding and Tackling Brown Patch Fungus in Your Lawn

Brown Patch Fungus, or Rhizoctonia Solani, is a common yet often misunderstood lawn disease. Many guides claim to help you deal with it, but few address the root cause and offer long-term solutions. In this article, we'll explore the causes of Brown Patch, and how you can prevent and recover from an outbreak.

🤔 What Causes Brown Patch in the Lawn?

Brown Patch is a turf grass disease caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia Solani. It affects St. Augustine and Zoysia grasses during the cooler months of Fall and Winter, typically starting in November and lasting until Spring. The disease thrives in cool temperatures, high humidity, and excess soil moisture.

A lawn affected by Brown Patch is often a sign of poor soil health, low microbial diversity, and compacted soil with poor porosity. These conditions lead to excess moisture at the base of the grass.

🛡️ Preventing Brown Patch: Cultural Practices

1. Change Your Watering Routine:
   • After the Fall Equinox, reduce watering as grass slows down and requires less water.
   • If watering is necessary, do it in the early morning to allow the lawn to dry out during the day.
2. Avoid Fungicides:
   • Fungicides harm beneficial bacteria and fungi in your lawn, and can be toxic to animals and humans.
3. Stop Using Inorganic Fertilizers:
   • These fertilizers harm soil health, lead to compaction, and often wash away, polluting water systems.
4. Focus on Root and Soil Health:
   • Healthy roots and soils are the foundation for a biodiverse lawn that can resist pests and diseases.
5. Increase Biological Diversity:
   • Inoculate your soil with beneficial bacteria and fungi to create a diverse ecosystem that can fight off Brown Patch.

🌿 Recovering from Brown Patch: Steps to Take

1. Follow the Cultural Practices Above:
   • Address the root causes before attempting to treat the disease.
2. Apply Our Fungal Defense Combo:
   • This combo includes MicroLife MicroGro Liquid AF and MicroLife Molasses, which work together to boost microbial diversity and fight off Rhizoctonia Solani.
3. Follow Our Southern Lawn Program:
   • This program will guide you through the steps to achieve a healthy lawn year-round. Click here to learn more about our program.

Thank you for reading! If you're a first-time customer, use promo code "ILOVEHSO" at checkout for a 10% discount. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact us. We're here to help you succeed!