Why Your Holly Springs Lawn Has Brown Patches (And How to Fix Them)

You've been watering, mowing, and trying to do everything right — but your Holly Springs lawn has developed ugly brown patches. It's frustrating, and it's one of the most common lawn problems we see in the Triangle area.

The good news is that brown patches are usually diagnosable and treatable. The challenge is figuring out which of several possible causes is behind yours, because the treatment depends entirely on the diagnosis.

Here's a guide to the most common reasons Holly Springs lawns develop brown patches and what to do about each one.

Cause #1: Brown Patch Fungus (Rhizoctonia)

The #1 culprit for fescue lawns in Wake County

Brown patch fungus is far and away the most common cause of brown patches in Holly Springs fescue lawns. Our hot, humid summers create perfect conditions for this fungal disease.

**How to identify it:** - Circular patches of brown, thinning grass ranging from a few inches to several feet in diameter - Patches often have a darker "smoke ring" border — a thin band of grayish, wilted grass at the edges (most visible in early morning when dew is present) - Individual grass blades pull easily from the plant and show brown, rotted lesions at the base - Appears primarily in summer (June–September) when nighttime temperatures stay above 65°F and humidity is high

**What causes it:** - Nighttime temperatures above 65°F combined with high humidity — exactly what we get in Holly Springs from June through September - Excessive nitrogen fertilization in late spring or summer (a very common mistake) - Overwatering or watering in the evening, keeping grass blades wet overnight - Poor air circulation in shaded, enclosed areas - Thick thatch layer

**How to fix it:** - **Apply a fungicide** — products containing azoxystrobin (Heritage), propiconazole (Banner Maxx), or myclobutanil (Eagle) are effective. Multiple applications may be needed during active infection. - **Stop fertilizing with nitrogen** until the disease subsides — nitrogen feeds the fungus - **Water only in the early morning** (before 10 AM) so grass blades dry during the day - **Improve air circulation** by pruning low-hanging tree branches and thinning dense shrubs - **Reduce thatch** through core aeration in fall

**Will the lawn recover?** Usually yes. Brown patch damages the leaf blades but typically doesn't kill the crown or roots of fescue. The grass will regrow as conditions improve in fall, especially after overseeding.

Cause #2: Drought Stress

Common in Holly Springs during July and August

Even though we get decent rainfall in Wake County (averaging about 46 inches per year), summer droughts are common. Fescue is moderately drought-tolerant but will show stress before bermuda.

**How to identify it:** - Irregular brown areas, often starting in the sunniest, most exposed parts of the lawn - Grass blades fold or curl inward (they're trying to conserve moisture) - Footprints remain visible after walking across the lawn — grass doesn't spring back - Soil feels dry and hard when probed - Patterns follow sun exposure — south-facing slopes and areas near pavement (which radiates heat) brown first

**How to fix it:** - **Water deeply and infrequently** — 1 inch of water, 2–3 times per week is better than daily light watering. Deep watering encourages deep root growth. - **Water in the early morning** — reduces evaporation losses - **Raise your mowing height** — taller grass (3.5–4 inches for fescue) shades the soil and reduces moisture loss - **Don't fertilize during drought** — it stimulates growth the grass can't support without adequate water - **Be patient** — fescue can go semi-dormant during drought and recover when rain returns. It looks bad but isn't necessarily dead.

Cause #3: Grubs and Lawn Insects

A sneaky cause that's easy to miss

White grubs (the larval stage of Japanese beetles, June bugs, and masked chafers) feed on grass roots underground. They're active in Holly Springs from late summer through fall.

**How to identify it:** - Irregular brown patches that feel spongy underfoot - You can easily peel back the affected turf like a carpet — because the roots have been eaten - Birds, skunks, or moles digging in the brown areas (they're hunting grubs) - Pull back the sod and count: **10+ grubs per square foot is a treatable infestation** - Most common in August through October

**How to fix it:** - **Curative treatment:** Apply a product containing trichlorfon (Dylox) or carbaryl (Sevin) for active grub infestations. These work on contact within days. - **Preventive treatment:** Apply a product containing imidacloprid (Merit) or chlorantraniliprole (GrubEx) in June to prevent grub damage in late summer. Prevention is much more effective than cure. - **Reseed or resod** the damaged areas in fall after treatment

Cause #4: Soil Compaction

Especially common on Wake County red clay

Our heavy clay soil compacts easily, and compacted soil prevents water, air, and nutrients from reaching grass roots.

**How to identify it:** - Brown or thin areas in high-traffic zones — where kids play, along walking paths, under play equipment - Soil feels rock-hard when probed - Water pools on the surface instead of soaking in - Grass roots are short and shallow when examined - Often worst in summer when compacted clay becomes like concrete

**How to fix it:** - **Core aeration** — the primary solution. Aerate fescue in fall, bermuda in late spring. - **Topdress with compost** after aeration to introduce organic matter into the clay - **Reduce traffic** on affected areas during recovery - **Regular annual aeration** prevents the problem from recurring

Cause #5: Chemical Burn or Spills

Sometimes the answer is simpler than you think.

**How to identify it:** - Brown patch corresponds exactly to where fertilizer, herbicide, gasoline, or pet urine was applied or spilled - Sharply defined edges (especially with fertilizer streaks or spreader overlap) - Yellowing that quickly turns brown and doesn't recover - Dog urine spots: small circles of dead brown grass with a ring of taller, greener grass around the edge (the diluted urine acts as fertilizer)

**How to fix it:** - **Water heavily** to flush the chemical through the soil — 1 inch of water per day for several days - **Fertilizer burn:** The grass often recovers on its own after flushing. If not, reseed in fall. - **Dog spots:** Train dogs to use a specific area, water the spots immediately after, or reseed problem areas

Cause #6: Improper Mowing

More common than you'd think

• **Scalping** — cutting the grass too short, especially on uneven terrain or raised spots. Exposes the soil and crown to sun damage.
• **Dull mower blades** — tear grass instead of cutting it cleanly, causing brown, ragged tips across the entire lawn
• **Mowing too infrequently** — then cutting more than one-third of the blade, shocking the grass

**How to fix it:** - Sharpen or replace mower blades at least once per season - Set mowing height to 3–3.5 inches for fescue - Mow frequently enough to follow the one-third rule - Level any high spots in the lawn that cause scalping

When to Call a Professional

You should call a lawn care professional if:

• You've tried treating the issue and it's not improving after 2–3 weeks
• Brown patches are spreading rapidly
• You're not sure what's causing the problem — misdiagnosis leads to wrong treatment, which wastes time and money
• Large areas are affected (more than 20% of your lawn)
• You see signs of multiple simultaneous issues

Prevention Tips for Holly Springs Lawns

The best strategy is preventing brown patches in the first place:

• **Mow at the correct height** — 3–3.5 inches for fescue, 1–2 inches for bermuda
• **Water in the morning** — never in the evening
• **Avoid heavy nitrogen fertilization in summer** for fescue lawns
• **Aerate annually** to combat our clay soil compaction
• **Overseed fescue in fall** to keep turf thick and resilient
• **Apply preventive fungicide** in late spring if you've had brown patch issues in previous years
• **Apply preventive grub control** in June

Get Expert Diagnosis from Summit

Not sure what's causing your brown patches? Summit Exterior Services has seen it all on Holly Springs and Wake County lawns. We can diagnose the issue, recommend the right treatment, and implement a plan to restore your turf and prevent future problems.

**Call 919-777-4103** for a free lawn assessment, or request a quote online. Don't let brown patches ruin the lawn you've been working so hard to maintain.