Brown Patch

What it looks like

Circular brown, tan, or yellowish patches ranging from about 6 inches to several feet wide. Grass blades show tan spots with dark brown edges, and you may notice a smoky dark ring around the patch edge in humid conditions. When it's wet out, look for gray, cottony growth on the grass.

Often mistaken for: Dollar spot or other summer patch diseases

When it shows up in the Triangle

Shows up May through September in the Triangle, especially during stretches of warm, humid nights and hot days with heavy dew or long periods of wet grass.

Where you’ll see it

Mainly affects tall fescue and fine fescue lawns, though bentgrass and Kentucky bluegrass can get it too.

What you can do

• Choose disease-resistant fescue varieties when overseeding
• Avoid heavy nitrogen fertilizing during the hot summer months
• Water early morning only, not daily, so grass isn't wet overnight
• Improve drainage and air flow in shady or low spots
• Knock dew off the grass in the morning if possible