Large Patch: Identification and Treatment in Georgia
Large patch causes massive circular dead zones in warm-season lawns every fall and spring. Learn how preventive fungicide and proper timing stop it before the damage starts.
Disease profile
What Is Large Patch?
Large patch is the most common and destructive lawn disease in Middle Georgia. It attacks warm-season grasses when soil temperatures drop below 70°F in fall and stays active until they rise above 70°F in spring. Circular patches of thinning, yellowing turf expand outward from a central point — sometimes reaching 10 feet or more in diameter.
Symptoms
How to Identify Large Patch
Circular or irregular patches of yellow, orange, or brown turf
Patches range from 3 to 25 feet in diameter
Grass blades pull easily from the stolons at the leaf sheath
Orange or yellow border (smoke ring) at the expanding edge of the patch
Center of older patches may recover, creating a ring pattern
Leaf sheaths appear dark and water-soaked at the soil line
Conditions
What Causes Large Patch
Favorable Conditions
Soil temperatures between 50°F and 70°F
Extended periods of wet, humid weather in fall or spring
Excessive nitrogen fertilization in late fall
Poor air circulation and shade that keeps turf wet
Heavy thatch layer trapping moisture against the soil
Overwatering or poor drainage
Susceptible Grass Types
Treatment
How to Prevent and Treat Large Patch
Cultural Prevention
Stop nitrogen fertilization by September — late-fall nitrogen fuels large patch
Water in the morning so turf dries before nightfall
Dethatch when the thatch layer exceeds ½ inch
Improve air circulation by trimming overhanging branches
Avoid overwatering — deep and infrequent irrigation is better than daily light watering
Core aerate to reduce compaction and improve drainage
Professional Treatment
We apply preventive fungicide in early fall before soil temperatures drop below 70°F. Timing is everything — once symptoms appear, the fungus has been active for weeks. A second application in spring targets the disease as it reactivates. Curative applications can slow the spread but won’t reverse damage that’s already done. The turf typically recovers on its own once soil temperatures rise above 70°F in late spring.
Left untreated
What Happens Without Treatment
Patches expand through fall and spring, thinning the turf down to bare soil in severe cases. Weakened areas become prime targets for weed invasion. Zoysia and St. Augustine recover slowly, and heavy infestations can take an entire growing season to fill back in — if weeds don’t take over first.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Large Patch
Is large patch the same as brown patch?
They’re caused by the same fungus (Rhizoctonia solani), but large patch affects warm-season grasses and brown patch affects cool-season grasses. In Middle Georgia, we deal with large patch — brown patch doesn’t occur here because we don’t grow cool-season turf.
When should I apply fungicide for large patch?
Preventive fungicide goes down in early fall when soil temperatures approach 70°F — typically late September to early October in the Macon area. A spring application in March provides additional protection as the fungus reactivates.
Why does large patch keep coming back every year?
The Rhizoctonia fungus lives in the soil permanently. It activates every time conditions are right. Annual preventive fungicide applications are the most reliable way to keep it in check, along with proper cultural practices.
Will my lawn recover from large patch damage?
Yes, warm-season grasses typically fill back in once soil temperatures rise above 70°F and the fungus goes dormant. Bermuda recovers fastest. Zoysia and St. Augustine take longer. Heavy damage may need overseeding or plugging to fully recover.
Take action
Stop Large Patch Before It Spreads
Every day without treatment is another day the damage gets worse. Get professional disease control backed by our expert lawn care team.
