Brown Patch: The Summer Lawn Fungus That Shows Up When You Least Expect It
- Danny at Spring Touch
- Jun 24
- 2 min read
Noticing large brown or yellowish circles popping up in your lawn during a hot, sticky Minnesota summer? You might be dealing with Brown Patch—a common and frustrating lawn fungus that loves heat and humidity just as much as you love enjoying your yard.
It can be alarming to see patches of your lawn suddenly looking scorched, but don’t worry—this is a treatable (and often preventable) issue.
How to Identify Brown Patch
Brown Patch doesn’t hold back. You’ll typically see:
Irregular circular patches ranging from 6 inches to several feet wide
Grass that appears brownish-yellow or scorched in the middle
Possibly a grayish “smoke ring” around the edge of the patch early in the morning
This fungus is most active in mid-to late-summer, especially after a stretch of hot, humid days and warm nights.
Need a visual? Check out this helpful guide from the University of Nebraska and Purdue University:
What Causes Brown Patch?
Several common lawn care habits make your yard more vulnerable:
Overwatering or watering at night
Too much nitrogen fertilizer
Poor drainage or compacted soil
Letting thatch build up
Mowing too short
If you’re doing any of these, Brown Patch sees that as an open invitation.
How to Get Your Lawn Back on Track
Step 1: Adjust your watering
Water deeply, but less often—and always in the early morning so grass dries before nightfall.
Step 2: Mow high
Keep your grass between 2.5 and 3 inches. Mowing too short stresses your lawn and encourages disease.
Step 3: Aerate
Do this annually to improve air flow, reduce compaction, and help your lawn breathe.
Step 4: Use fertilizer wisely
Avoid high doses of nitrogen in the heat of summer. A balanced approach supports healthier, more resilient turf.
Step 5: Still not sure? Send us a photo
If you’re unsure whether it’s Brown Patch or something else, just text (507) 934-5296 or email us a photo at info@springtouchlawn.com. We’ll take a look and help you diagnose the issue.
Tired of Fighting Brown Patch Every Year? We Can Help.
If you’ve battled Brown Patch more than once, it might be time to take a more proactive approach. Spring Touch offers professional fungus control treatments to stop lawn disease before it spreads and keep your turf looking its best.
