Look Past the Color
UC IPM urges checking irrigation, mowing, fertilizer, drainage, insects, and thatch before assuming disease. Warm-season grasses common here (bermuda, kikuyu, St. Augustine) have their own patterns.
Materials Required
- Soil probe
- Mower with sharp blade
- Dethatching rake or verticut rental if thatch >1/2 in
- Irrigation flags for broken heads
Step by Step
-
Rule out abiotic causes
Check dog urine spots, fuel spills, dull-mower scalp, and broken sprinklers. Sudden widespread damage is often cultural, not one pathogen.
-
Measure thatch
Up to about 1/2 inch can help; thicker thatch holds moisture against crowns and favors disease. Verticut heavy thatch producers like bermuda and kikuyu.
-
Water deeply, early
Irrigate pre-dawn or early morning to shorten leaf wetness. Water to several inches depth when needed — not nightly light sprays.
-
Watch Rhizoctonia patterns
Large/brown patch on warm-season turf is favored by poor drainage, thick thatch, long wet leaves, low mow height, and excess nitrogen.
-
Decide: repair or replace
Chronic problem lawns in unused areas may be better as mulched beds or groundcovers that match your water goals.
San Diego Tips
- Inspect weekly in transition seasons.
- Avoid lush, soft growth from heavy nitrogen before cool wet weather.
Want help getting this done right? Gardens of Gold designs and installs water-smart landscapes across San Diego County. Get a quote.