St. Augustine grass is prone to get brown patches during the cooler months.
What is the cause of brown patches?
Brown patch fungus is common in St Augustine Grass especially during the late fall and early spring months. Your brown patched lawn is the result of this fungus which thrives in moisture and cool conditions.
You can avoid your lawn getting destroyed from this fungus with the right lawn maintenance of your St. Augustine grass.
While most of the steps you need to take to prevent this fungus are things you would normally do to keep up your yard, but keep in mind that St. Augustine grass is a tad more sensitive.
How to prevent brown patch fungus on your St. Augustine lawn:
Step 1: Water at the right time
If you water your lawn in afternoon, your lawn is going to remain damp throughout the night. This can cause problems, especially during the cooler seasons as brown patch fungus proliferates in conditions like these. It is important that you water your lawn early in the morning, at sunrise if possible. This will make sure the grass has enough time to dry before the night-time. If you live in St Johns County please review the county watering rules, which also apply to Saint Augustine.
Step 2: Don’t overwater your lawn
Brown patch mold thrives in damp conditions which is why you should avoid frequent watering. You should water St. Augustine grass twice per week during Daylight Savings Time, and once per week during Eastern Standard Time.
Depending on the drainage of your lawn, the quantity of the water required varies. However, a water depth of a 1/2 an inch, is the typical recommendation for St. Augustine.
Step 3: Avoid Nitrogen-rich fertilizers during the cooler months
While nitrogen fertilizer is extremely beneficial for abundant green growth, it promotes soft growth which provides a thriving platform for the growth of brown patch fungus. This is why it is important to only use nitrogen fertilizer at the right time that is during summer or late spring.
Step 4: A good drainage system
Too much water can also be bad for your lawn. Compacted soil means your lawn will have a lot of surface moisture. To prevent this, perform core aeration on your lawn at least once a year and make sure that the soil has a good pH.
Step 5: Regular Lawn Mowing
You can prevent the spread of the brown patched mold if you control your grass clippings. St. Augustine grass should be mowed about every seven days to about 4 inches. Appropriate care will ensure that too many clippings do not clump up and create excessive thatch since that can lead to extra moisture.
Step 6: Use Fungicide
Use fungicide early to avoid and control the mold when you begin to see the first indications of the brown patches. Follow the instructions on the package. Commonly, fungicides should be used at least once or twice in a month.
In conclusion, the proper care for your Saint Augustine lawn will help avoid brown patch fungus involves controlling excess moisture in your yard.