Why Does My Grass Have Brown Spots in San Antonio?

Brown Spots in My Lawn

Brown spots in a San Antonio lawn are one of the most common things I get asked about. There are several different things that can cause them, and the fix depends on which one you are dealing with.

Brown Patch Fungus

This is probably the most common cause in San Antonio yards. Brown patch is a fungal disease that loves warm, humid conditions. It shows up as circular brown areas, sometimes with a darker ring around the edge.

It spreads fast when the lawn is wet at night, which is why watering in the evening is a bad idea here. Water in the morning so the grass can dry out during the day. Brown patch can be treated with a fungicide, but adjusting your watering habits is the more important long-term fix.

Chinch Bugs

Chinch bugs are tiny insects that suck the moisture out of grass blades. They are most active in hot, dry weather and tend to start in the sunniest parts of the yard first. The brown areas from chinch bugs do not have the circular pattern of brown patch. They tend to spread from one area outward and the grass in the affected zone is completely dead.

Heat and Drought Stress

Sometimes brown grass is just grass that is not getting enough water. During a San Antonio summer, St. Augustine needs about an inch of water per week to stay green. If it is not getting that, it will go dormant and turn brown. Dormant grass usually comes back when the weather cools.

When to Call Someone

If you cannot figure out what is causing the brown spots, or if they are spreading fast, give us a call. We do free assessments. Call 817-484-8835 or visit recoverlandscape.com. We serve San Antonio, Helotes, Leon Valley, Schertz, Converse, and the surrounding area.