You’ve been watering. You’ve been mowing. But there they are — ugly brown patches in the middle of an otherwise green lawn. Identifying the cause is the first step toward fixing it.

Cause #1: Brown Patch Fungus

The most common lawn disease in Wichita. Hits fescue when night temps exceed 65°F with humidity and extended leaf wetness. Look for circular patches with a dark “smoke ring” at the edges.

Fix: Professional fungus treatments applied preventively. Water early morning, never evening. Avoid excess nitrogen in late spring.

Cause #2: Irrigation Problems

Broken heads, poor zone coverage, stuck valves, or programming errors. Disease patches are circular; irrigation problems follow head coverage patterns.

Fix: Have your system inspected for coverage, pressure, and head alignment.

Cause #3: Compacted Soil

Wichita’s heavy clay compacts under traffic, preventing water infiltration and root growth.

Fix: Fall aeration (September–October) relieves compaction and should be annual.

Cause #4: Grub Damage

White grubs feed on roots. Signs: brown patches that peel up like carpet, increased animal activity, damage in late summer.

Fix: Preventive grub control in late spring or curative treatment in late summer.

Cause #5: Heat and Drought Stress

Fescue naturally goes partially dormant above 90°F. Browns uniformly, stays rooted, recovers in September.

Fix: Water deeply (1–1.5 inches/week), mow high at 3.5 inches, don’t fertilize during heat stress.

Not sure what's causing your brown patches? Request a free quote or call (316) 706-8339