You walk out to your lanai with your morning coffee, look out at your lawn, and see them: distinct, ugly brown circles expanding across your green grass.

In Fort Myers, our instinct during the February dry season is to assume the grass is thirsty. You might rush to your irrigation controller and add an extra day of watering.

Stop.

St. Augustine turf is one of the many southern turfgrasses affected by Large Patch commonly known as “Brown Patch”, adding water to those brown spots might be like throwing gasoline on a fire. You aren’t dealing with drought—you are likely battling Brown Patch Fungus (also known as Large Patch).

At Green Smart Lawn & Pest, we see this every winter. Here is how to identify the problem and stop it before it eats your entire lawn.

The “Winter” Fungus: What is Brown Patch?

Brown Patch is a fungal disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani. While we associate fungus with the humid summer, this specific strain loves the “cool” Florida weather. It thrives when temperatures drop below 80°F and humidity or moisture is present.

This is why February is prime time for outbreaks. The days are mild, the nights are cool, and if your sprinklers are running too often, the grass stays wet for too long.

How to Identify Brown Patch on Your Lawn

Before you treat it, you need to confirm it. Look for these three signs:

• The Pattern: Unlike drought, which looks like large, irregular crispy areas, Brown Patch starts as distinct circles ranging from a few inches to several feet in diameter.
• The “Donut” Shape: As the fungus expands outward, the grass in the center may recover and turn green again, creating a donut or ring appearance.
• The “Orange” Leading Edge: Look closely at the outer perimeter of the circle. Active Brown Patch often creates a distinct orange or bronze-colored border where the fungus is currently attacking the healthy grass. If you see this “fire ring,” the fungus is on the move.

Expert Insight: Go look closely at a grass blade on the edge of the brown circle. If it’s Brown Patch, the leaf blade will easily pull away from the stem (rotten at the base), and you might see a dark, reddish-brown “lesion” or spot on the blade itself.

The Mistake Most Fort Myers Homeowners Make

Because it is the “dry season,” you assume the brown spots are from lack of water. You turn on the sprinklers.

Here is the reality: The fungus needs moisture to travel from blade to blade. By watering in the evening or watering too frequently, you are providing the highway the fungus needs to destroy your lawn.

How We Treat Brown Patch in Southwest Florida

Fixing this issue requires a two-step approach: Chemical control and Cultural change.

1. Fungicide Application

Once the fungus is active, you cannot “grow” your way out of it. It requires a professional fungicide application to stop the spread. At Green Smart Lawn & Pest, we use commercial-grade systemic fungicides that absorb into the plant tissue, protecting it from the inside out.

2. The “Cultural” Fix (Your Job)

As the homeowner, you control the environment. To keep Brown Patch away:

• Water Less, Not More: In February, St. Augustine grass grows slowly. It typically needs irrigation only once a week if we haven’t had rain.
• Morning Watering Only: Never run your sprinklers in the evening. The grass needs to dry out in the sunlight. If it sits wet all night, fungus grows.
• Reduce Nitrogen: Do not throw heavy nitrogen fertilizer on the lawn right now. Nitrogen encourages rapid leaf growth, which is soft and highly susceptible to fungus during cool months.

Professional Lawn Care in Fort Myers & Cape Coral

Don’t guess with your investment. If you see circles forming in your yard, let us diagnose it properly.

Green Smart Lawn & Pest understands the specific soil and climate challenges of Lee County. We can arrest the fungus and set up a nutrition plan to bounce your lawn back to health as soon as spring fully hits.

Ready to get your green back? Contact us today for a free lawn analysis.