Identify Brown Patch Fungus and Stop It Before It Spreads
TL;DR Summary:
Brown patch fungus is active again in Houston lawns — especially St. Augustine. If you see yellow circles or patches in your yard, treat them quickly with Heritage G fungicide. Preventing brown patch is cheaper and easier than curing it. Houston Grass stocks Heritage G and replacement sod so you can restore damaged spots before winter dormancy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brown Patch Fungus in Houston Lawns
Brown Patch Is Back in Houston Lawns
Good morning everyone — Michael here with Houston Grass.
Every fall, as our nights get cooler and the humidity rises, brown patch fungus starts showing up again across Houston-area lawns. I’ve noticed it in my own front yard, and if you’re seeing yellow patches or thin, curling blades of grass, there’s a good chance you’ve got it too.
What Brown Fungus Patch Looks Like
Brown patch starts as small yellow circles in your lawn that quickly spread into large brown areas. You’ll often see a yellow halo around the edges, and the grass blades may curl up or look water-soaked before drying out completely.
If you look closely, the center may begin to green back up — that’s a sign the fungus is moving outward.
Typical Signs of Brown Patch:
- Yellow or tan circles that grow over time
- A smoky or orange edge around the patch
- Curling or shriveled blades
- Most common in St. Augustine grass
- Appears after several cool, damp nights
Why You Should Act Fast
In my yard, I ignored a small spot for about three weeks — and it spread fast. That’s what brown patch fungus does.
Once it takes hold, the fungus moves quickly through damp soil and thatch. Treating early not only stops the spread, it saves you money on fungicide and grass replacement later.
How to Treat and Prevent Brown Patch Fungus
At Houston Grass, we recommend Heritage G fungicide for both prevention and treatment.
For Prevention:
- Apply Heritage G before brown patch shows up.
- The preventive rate is half the amount used for active fungus.
- One bag covers a large area and protects for several weeks.
For Active Brown Patch:
- Treat as soon as you see symptoms.
- Water in the product lightly to reach the soil surface.
- Avoid mowing or watering late in the day — keep your lawn as dry as possible overnight.
Repairing Brown Patch Damage
If brown patch has already damaged parts of your yard, don’t worry — you can fix it before the cold weather sets in.
We sell grass by the piece at our office in Arcola, so you can replace the dead areas and get your lawn looking good again before dormancy.
We carry Raleigh and Palmetto St. Augustine, plus several Zoysia and Bermuda varieties — all grown on our family farm and proven for Houston’s climate.
Where to Get Heritage G and Quality Sod
You can pick up Heritage G right here at Houston Grass in Arcola, just off Highway 6 a few miles east of Sienna.
We’ll be happy to show you how to apply it and help you choose the right sod pieces to patch your lawn.
📞 Call us at 281-431-7441
📍 Find us near Sienna and Highway 6 in Arcola
🌿 All our grass is grown on our family farm — quality second to none in the Houston area.
