Brown does not always mean dead
Every summer we get the same call: the lawn was green in May and patchy by August. In Orlando the cause is usually one of four things — drought stress, chinch bugs, fungus, or dull-mower damage. Each looks a little different, and each needs a different fix. Treating the wrong one wastes time and money.
Drought stress: the most common cause
Orlando gets heavy rain in summer, but it comes in bursts with hot dry stretches between. Lawns with shallow roots — often from short mowing — brown first in the sunny spots. The footprint test works: step on the grass, and if your footprint stays visible, the lawn is thirsty. Deep, less-frequent watering trains roots to grow down.
Chinch bugs: yellow patches that spread
Chinch bugs suck the moisture out of St. Augustine, leaving yellow patches that turn brown and spread outward — usually starting near driveways and sidewalks where it is hottest. Pull the grass apart at the edge of a patch: the tiny black-and-white insects are visible if you look close. This needs treatment, not water.
Fungus and mower damage
Large brown rings in fall or after wet stretches point to fungus. Even browning right after a mow with ragged brown blade tips points to a dull mower blade. A quick look tells us which it is, and each has a straightforward fix. Call (301) 679-9193 or send the form for a free quote — no pressure, no obligation.