Pleasant LandscapesMake Your Landscape...Pleasant!
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Pleasant Landscapes Newsletter - Fall 2008Brown Patch and Irrigation SystemsThis month’s garden section is going to be focusing on brown patch and irrigation systems. Both can be detrimental to your lawn and financial situation. First, let’s discuss the brown patch issue. Brown patch is breaking out over the Low Country. This is a naturally occurring fungus that breaks out when the conditions are right. The fungus spores can often sit dormant in the soil area for years until the temperature gets to be around 70 degrees in the evening hours, excessive moisture is present, and high levels of nitrogen abound. Brown patch will present itself as a yellow spot in the yard with a brown ring that is actively moving outward. If brown patch gets bad enough then it turns into what’s called Large Patch (a more severe case of Brown Patch) and engulfs the entire yard. In the beginning, an inexperienced home owner may think that the area is getting dry and add water to the lawn, compounding the problem. While fungicides will slow down or stop the Brown Patch, the best solution is to reduce the amount of water that a sprinkler system will put out. Water is vital to the survival of Brown Patch.
This year, thanks to the tropical rains that we received, we have turned off all sprinkler systems under our management. We are only allowing the rain that we are receiving to water our plants and grass. There are a few exceptions to this. The first half mile of the United States are basically the barrier islands of our area, and they do not receive the same amount of rain that most of the Low Country receives. I attribute this to the wind coming in off the ocean and blowing back the rain clouds and not reaching the barrier islands as frequently. Also, the soil found on the barrier islands is fine sand and has no water retaining properties. Therefore, the systems located here have been left on for two days a week this year (except for the few cities that had water restrictions- due to major water line breaks). Once you have Brown Patch it is important to get this disease under control. Most of the available fungicides will help to control this problem, but what you do not want to have happen is to leave the brown patch active after your lawn goes into the dominant season, as Brown Patch will continue to live during the winter and will cause large gaping dead spots throughout the lawn in the Spring. It would also reactive itself once the temperatures reach the 70’s again and the moisture returns. If you think that you are susceptible or have had Brown Patch, it is good to do a preventative fungicide treatment in the Fall & Spring as well as watch your water usage. If you have any other gardening questions feel free to contact me, James Parker, at 843-886-9314 or at www.pleasantlandscapes.com. |
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P.O. Box 445 - Isle of Palms, South Carolina 29451 - Phone 843.886.9316 | Fax 843.886.4918
Johns Island: 843.768.6808
| East Cooper: 843.886.9314
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